2019年6月英语六级真题第2套 Part II Section C (3)

作者在解释 self-enhancing motivations 这个 concept 时，立刻给出了 endowment effect 这个 concrete example。通过 'when you own something, you view it as more valuable' 这个日常 scenario，让抽象的 psychological concept 变得 tangible and relatable。这个 example 不仅 clarifies 了什么是 self-enhancement，更重要的是为后面的 cultural comparison 提供了 measurable benchmark，让读者理解为什么 Western cultures show stronger effects than Eastern cultures。

信号词 for example for instance such as like to illustrate consider take... as an example a case in point

仿写： 当你需要 explain 一个 abstract concept 时，问自己：'What's a situation that everyone can relate to?' 比如解释 'cognitive bias'，你可以说 'For instance, when planning a trip, people often underestimate how long tasks will take.' 模版：'[Abstract concept]. For example, [具体情境 + observable behavior].' 关键是选择的 example 要 universal enough 让不同 backgrounds 的读者都能 connect。

作者用 'an hour and a half less' 和 'about an hour less' 这些 precise numerical data 来 quantify cultural differences in sleep patterns。这些 numbers 不是 decorative，而是 establish the magnitude of difference between East Asians and North Americans。数字让 'sleep less' 这个 vague statement 变成 measurable reality，也让后续的 research question 'how culture shapes sleep' 显得更 urgent and significant。Numerical precision 在这里 builds credibility 并 justifies 为什么这个 topic is worth investigating。

信号词 about approximately around roughly nearly almost more than less than up to as many as on average

仿写： 当你想 emphasize the extent of a phenomenon 时，think about what can be measured。不要只说 'significantly different'，而要说 'X is 40% higher than Y' 或 'occurs 3 times more frequently'。模版：'[Group A] [verb] approximately [具体数字 + 单位] [comparative word] than [Group B].' 注意要 pair numbers with context：'an hour and a half' 有意义是因为我们知道 typical sleep duration is 7-8 hours，所以这个 difference is substantial。

作者通过 'It's called the "endowment effect"' 这个 explicit definition 来 label and explain 前面描述的 phenomenon。这个 definition 不是 isolated，而是 embedded in explanation：先 describe the behavior pattern，再 give it a technical name。这种 approach 让读者 first understand the concept through concrete description，然后 learn the terminology。Definition 在这里 serves dual purposes：它 introduces specialized vocabulary for academic context，同时 consolidates understanding by providing a memorable label for the previously explained phenomenon。

信号词 is called is known as refers to means is defined as termed this is in other words that is

仿写： 当你 introduce a technical term 时，考虑先 describe what it does 或 how it manifests，然后再 attach the label。模版：'[Describe the behavior/phenomenon]. This is called/known as [term].' 或者反过来：'[Term] refers to [clear, concise explanation].' 关键是 balance precision and accessibility：definition 要 accurate enough for experts 但 understandable for general readers。避免 circular definitions，确保用 simpler words 来 explain complex terms。

文中 multiple comparisons 构成了 research 的 backbone：Western vs. Eastern cultures 在 self-enhancement 方面，East Asians vs. North Americans 在 sleep duration 方面，甚至 East Asian infants vs. European infants。这些 systematic comparisons 不是 random，而是 deliberately designed 来 isolate cultural factors。通过 'stronger in Western cultures than in Eastern cultures' 和 'sleep about an hour and a half less' 这样的 contrastive structures，作者 establishes patterns across different populations。Comparisons 让 cultural influence 变得 visible and measurable，因为 differences can't be explained by biology alone（连 infants 都有差异就 proves culture's deep impact）。

信号词 than compared to in contrast while whereas unlike more/less... than stronger/weaker... than differ from as opposed to on the other hand

仿写： 设计 effective comparison 时，首先 identify the comparison dimension（比如 duration, intensity, frequency）。然后选择 comparable entities that differ primarily in the variable you want to highlight。模版：'[Group A] [verb] [degree word] + [comparative adjective] than [Group B].' 或 '[Aspect] is [more/less] [adjective] in [Context A] than in [Context B].' 关键是 maintain parallel structure 和 use explicit comparative markers。如果 comparing multiple aspects，可以用 'while', 'whereas', 'in contrast' 来 structure the comparison clearly。

在 第3段 中，作者用 'And it's not a more efficient sleep, not like they're compressing relatively more value out of their hours' 来 clarify 和 elaborate on 'sleep about an hour and a half less' 这个 finding。这个 interpretation 很关键，因为它 preempts 一个 potential misunderstanding：读者可能 assume 'less sleep but same rest quality'。作者 explicitly rules out 这个 alternative explanation，强调 cultural difference 不是 efficiency 的问题，而是 actual sleep deprivation。这个 clarification 让 research question 'how culture shapes sleep' 变得更 intriguing，因为它不是 optimization，而是 culturally-driven behavioral pattern that might have costs。

信号词 it's not that this doesn't mean rather not like instead actually in fact what this means is to put it another way more precisely

仿写： 当你 present a fact that might be misunderstood 时，主动 address potential interpretations。模版：'[Statement]. This doesn't mean [common misconception]; rather, it indicates [correct understanding].' 或 'And it's not [alternative interpretation], not like [elaboration of wrong view].' 使用 negative constructions（'not...', 'it's not that...'）来 explicitly exclude wrong interpretations，然后 provide the right frame。关键是 anticipate what readers might infer incorrectly based on their background assumptions。

在 第4段 中，作者 break down 手表数据能 measure 的 dimensions：'how long people are sleeping, how efficient their sleep is, and whether they are waking up in the night'。这个 categorization 不是 arbitrary，而是 structures 复杂的 sleep data into distinct, measurable aspects。通过这个 systematic classification，读者 understand 研究不只是 track one variable（duration），而是 capture multiple dimensions of sleep quality and pattern。这种 methodological transparency 也 enhances credibility，显示 research design 的 thoroughness。

信号词 including such as can be divided into consists of types of categories several ways aspects dimensions ranging from... to

仿写： 当你 dealing with complex concepts or processes 时，考虑能否 break them down into logical categories。模版：'[System/concept] can be measured/analyzed in several ways: [category 1], [category 2], and [category 3].' 或 'This includes [category A], [category B], as well as [category C].' 使用 parallel structure（都用 noun phrases 或都用 'how' clauses）来 maintain consistency。确保 categories 基于 clear organizing principle，比如 dimensions, types, stages, 或 components。