懒笔记
2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1)
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2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1)

说明文 · 阅读理解（四选一） · 真题文章逐层精读

本页是 2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章的精读视角页——这篇说明文全文 440 词、4 段，CEFR 难度 C1（C1 级在英语六级文章中占 58%），作者立场为「客观中立」；英文原文之外，本篇已有的 11 项精读维度逐项展开，其中能迁移到其他英语六级真题文章的判断方法（篇章结构、修辞、言外之意、作者态度、体裁速判）随各维度一并讲透。

精读最佳实践

本页解析里的段号（P1）都可以点——点一下，原文在顶部翻开并定位到该段，解析引用的原文同步标亮；合上原文，你还停在刚才读到的位置。点 P1 试试。

PASSAGE · 文章原文

4 段英文原文

以下为2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 的阅读理解（四选一）原文，共 4 段。左侧 P1–P4 是段落编号——本页全部解析（结构、逐段、修辞、自检题）都以它为坐标回指原文，点击解析里的段号，原文即在顶部翻开并定位到该段、引用的原文同步标亮；合上原文仍停在当前阅读位置。原文保持卷面形态，不带翻译与标注。

"The dangerous thing about lying is people don't understand how the act changes us," says Dan Ariely behavioural psychologist at Duke University. Psychologists have documented children lying as early as the age of two. Some experts even consider lying a developmental milestone, like crawling and walking, because it requires sophisticated planning, attention and the ability to see a situation from someone else's perspective to manipulate them. But, for most people, lying gets limited as we develop a sense of morality and the ability to self-regulate.

Harvard cognitive neuroscientist Joshua Greene says, for most of us, lying takes work. In studies, he gave subjects a chance to deceive for monetary gain while examining their brains in a functional MRI machine, which maps blood flow to active parts of the brain. Some people told the truth instantly and instinctively. But others opted to lie, and they showed increased activity in their frontal parietal(颅腔壁的) control network, which is involved in difficult or complex thinking. This suggests that they were deciding between truth and dishonesty—and ultimately opting for the latter. For a follow-up analysis, he found that people whose neural(神经的) reward centers were more active when they won money were also more likely to be among the group of liars – suggesting that lying may have to do with the inability to resist temptation.

External conditions also matter in terms of when and how often we lie. We are more likely to lie, when we are able to rationalise it, when we are stressed and fatigued or see others being dishonest. And we are less likely to lie when we have moral reminders or when we think others are watching. "We as a society need to understand that, when we don't punish lying, we increase the probability it will happen again," Ariely says.

In a 2016 study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, Ariely and colleagues showed how dishonesty alters people's brains, making it easier to tell lies in the future. When people uttered a falsehood, the scientists noticed a burst of activity in their amygdala. The amygdala is a crucial part of the brain that produces fear, anxiety and emotional responses including that sinking, guilty feeling you get when you lie. But when scientists had their subjects play a game—in which they won money by deceiving their partner, they noticed the negative signals from the amygdala began to decrease. Not only that, but when people faced no consequences for dishonesty, their falsehood tended to get even more sensational. This means that if you give people multiple opportunities to lie for their own benefit, they start with little lies which get bigger over time.

PARAGRAPHS · 逐段精读

4 段逐段主旨与解读

逐段拆解2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 的这篇原文——每段给出英文段落主旨、段落标题与中文解读，并提炼一条「这段为什么这样读」的具体方法。

  1. P1

    The Early Development of Lying

    Lying develops early as a complex cognitive ability but is usually restrained by morality and self-control.

    这一段承担全文的 introduction 功能：它说明 lying 并非偶然行为，而是具有认知基础、且会受道德约束的行为。它为下文从 brain activity、external conditions 到 repeated dishonesty 的递进研究，建立了“说谎为何发生、为何失控”的讨论框架。

    抓首段转折
  2. P2

    The Brain's Decision to Lie

    Brain research shows that lying often involves cognitive conflict and may be driven by reward-related temptation.

    本段从神经机制解释 lying 的即时发生过程，具体回答了全文“说谎如何发生”的问题。它承接首段的“复杂认知能力”，并进一步证明这种复杂性表现为大脑中的 conflict 和 reward-driven choice，从而增强文章的 scientific credibility。

    串联实验结论
  3. P3

    How Situations Encourage or Discourage Lying

    External circumstances and social consequences strongly influence the likelihood of lying.

    本段补充了前段的内部脑机制，说明 lying 不仅取决于个人的 brain 和 temptation，也受环境塑造。尤其是“无惩罚会增加重复”的观点，直接为末段“无后果的谎言会不断升级”提供了重要的 causal bridge。

    归并正反条件
  4. P4

    How Lies Escalate in the Brain

    Repeated, consequence-free lying desensitizes the brain and leads to increasingly serious dishonesty.

    本段是全文的 conclusion and climax，它以实验直接验证文章主旨：说谎会因重复而变得容易，因为大脑的 guilt-related response 会减弱。它还把第三段的“缺乏惩罚”与前文的 reward 联系起来，最终揭示 dishonesty 会在获利且无后果的条件下不断升级。

    追踪谎言升级链
SELF CHECK · 段落自检题

4 道逐段细节自检题

针对2019年12月英语六级真题第1套这篇原文，每段配 1 道细节题（ 1 个正确项 + 5 个干扰项 ，由懒笔记精读引擎基于本段命制，非试卷原题）。 选项默认中性；点「显示答案与解析」展开正确项、解析与最快解法，现代浏览器会同步高亮正确选项。

  1. 第 1 段 定位词 developmental milestone necessary

    What ability is presented as necessary for lying to qualify as a developmental milestone?

    • A The instinct to tell the truth without considering personal gain.
    • B The capacity to suppress fear and anxiety in the amygdala.
    • C The ability to view a situation from another person's perspective in order to manipulate that person.
    • D The habit of lying more often when other people are dishonest.
    • E The ability to obtain money by deceiving a partner.
    • F The tendency to feel guilty immediately after uttering a falsehood.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：C

    该项准确压缩了 ability to see a situation from someone else's perspective to manipulate them 的完整逻辑：先有 perspective-taking，再有 manipulate 的目的。它不是机械复现，而是以 view a situation 替换 see a situation，以 another person's perspective 替换 someone else's perspective，属于六级常见的“同义改写＋逻辑保留”。障碍在于原文把它放在 sophisticated planning、attention 之后的并列链中；考生若只扫第一个名词，容易把 planning 或 attention 误判为唯一答案。

    盯住requires 时间极紧时，直接盯住题干中最长、最稀有的名词短语 developmental milestone，而不是先读全部选项；它会把你带到 第1段。随后采用“动词支配法”：只看该术语附近由 requires 支配的内容，并在选项中寻找能被“requires”自然接上的正确项。这个方法绕开了逐项全文比对，用语法框架先锁定答案项。

  2. 第 2 段 定位词 frontal parietal control network increased activity

    What did increased activity in the frontal parietal control network suggest about some subjects?

    • A They told the truth instantly because lying required no mental effort.
    • B They had weaker neural reward centers when they won money.
    • C They were unable to understand another person's perspective.
    • D They were deliberately choosing between honesty and dishonesty before deciding to lie.
    • E They experienced less fear and anxiety after repeated falsehoods.
    • F They were more likely to be honest when they felt watched.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：D

    该项完整对应 deciding between truth and dishonesty—and ultimately opting for the latter。deliberately 对应 difficult or complex thinking 所暗示的非本能加工，before deciding to lie 保留了“先权衡、后选择”的顺序。障碍在于原文用 ultimately opting for the latter 指代 lie，选项则将 latter 明说为 lie；考生必须正确还原指代，并读出行为过程而非只看单个术语。

    跳读This suggests 在紧张时间内，把 frontal parietal control network 当作 第2段 的“唯一坐标”，落点后不要从段首重读。直接执行“指示词跳读”：寻找其后最近的 This suggests that，并只比较各选项是否转述该从句。答案项应覆盖推断句中的 decision 与最终行为两个语义槽位；这比逐个翻译 five options 更快。

  3. 第 3 段 定位词 less likely to lie circumstances

    Under which circumstances are people less likely to lie?

    • A When they can rationalise their dishonesty and are under stress.
    • B When their neural reward centers become more active after winning money.
    • C When they receive multiple opportunities to deceive a partner for money.
    • D When they feel no guilt after uttering a falsehood.
    • E When moral reminders are present or people believe that others are watching them.
    • F When dishonesty is not punished by society.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：E

    该项忠实保留了两个并列的抑制条件：moral reminders 和 think others are watching。present 是对 have 的自然改写，believe that 则对应 think，均未改变概率方向。障碍在于选项使用 or 连接两个条件，考生可能误以为只有同时出现才有效；但原文同样将二者列为并列的独立条件。更大的障碍是前文紧邻 more likely to lie 的三项诱因，容易造成相邻信息误取。

    条件画箭头 先以题干中的 less likely to lie 精确定位 第3段，再不用顺读：把该段所有条件按“↑ lie / ↓ lie”在脑中二分。接着采用“箭头淘汰法”，只要选项表达会把 lie 推向上升，就立即划掉，无须逐词翻译。最后在下降组中确认正确项是否完整复现并列条件。

  4. 第 4 段 定位词 without consequences repeatedly have a chance for their own benefit

    What is likely to happen when people repeatedly have a chance to lie for their own benefit without consequences?

    • A Their amygdala will produce increasingly intense negative signals.
    • B They will become more likely to tell the truth instantly and instinctively.
    • C They will need stronger moral reminders to win money.
    • D They will lose the ability to see a situation from someone else's perspective.
    • E They will be less tempted by monetary rewards in future games.
    • F Their lies are likely to grow from minor falsehoods into increasingly serious ones over time.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：F

    该项准确整合了 start with little lies which get bigger over time，以及 falsehood tended to get even more sensational。minor falsehoods 对应 little lies， increasingly serious ones 对应 bigger 与 more sensational，over time 保留累积趋势。障碍在于原文先谈 amygdala 的 negative signals decrease，后谈谎言升级；二者紧邻但层级不同。正确项抓住题干所问的“会发生什么行为变化”，而非前一层的神经反应。

    先筛变化对象 时间紧时，先用 without consequences 直达 第4段 的后半部，再以“名词层级筛选”判断：题干问 people lie 的后果，优先保留主语为 lies 或 falsehoods 的正确项，先剔除主语为 amygdala、network、reward centers 的选项。随后只核验该项是否带有从小到大、over time 的趋势。这种先看“谁在变化”的做法比逐句精读更高效。

STRUCTURE · 篇章结构

4 个意群的说明文骨架

按说明文 的行文骨架切分意群，每个意群标注它覆盖的段落与对主旨的作用——逐段读完后回到这里俯瞰全篇，能看清作者为什么按这个顺序行文。

  1. P1

    说谎的认知复杂性与发展性

    这个 opening paragraph 首先通过 Dan Ariely 的观点引出 lying 这个 central topic，然后追溯到 children 早期就会 lie 的 developmental phenomenon，强调 lying 需要 sophisticated planning 和 perspective-taking 这些 complex cognitive abilities，最后指出随着 morality 和 self-regulation 的发展，多数人的 lying behavior 会受到限制

    作为 expository article 的 introduction part，这个意群建立了 foundational understanding，让读者明白 lying 不是简单的 behavior，而是涉及 complex mental processes 的 learned skill，为后续深入探讨 neuroscience mechanisms 和 behavioral patterns 奠定基础

    介绍说谎的认知基础
  2. P2

    说谎的神经机制与个体差异

    这个意群聚焦 neuroscience research，通过 Joshua Greene 的 fMRI study 揭示 lying 在 brain level 的运作方式。研究发现有些人 instinctively tell the truth，而选择 lie 的人会显示 frontal parietal network 的 increased activity，说明他们经历了 deliberate decision-making process。Further analysis 还发现 neural reward centers 更活跃的人更倾向 lying，暗示 lying 与 resisting temptation 的能力相关

    这个意群提供了 empirical evidence 来支撑主旨中 'complex cognitive processes' 的论断。通过 brain imaging data 和 neural activity patterns，它从 biological level 证明了 lying 确实需要 cognitive effort，并且揭示了 individual differences 的 neurological basis，让 abstract concept 变得 concrete and measurable

    揭示大脑处理机制
  3. P3

    影响说谎的外部条件

    这个意群从 external perspective 分析 lying behavior，指出 environmental and situational factors 如何影响 lying frequency。文章列举了 increase lying 的条件（能 rationalize、处于 stress、看到 others lying）和 decrease lying 的条件（有 moral reminders、感觉 being watched），最后通过 Ariely 的观点强调 social consequences 的重要性：不惩罚 dishonesty 会增加其 recurrence probability

    这个意群补充了主旨中 learned behavior 的 contextual dimension，说明 lying 不仅受 internal neural processes 控制，还受 external circumstances 调节。这种 multi-factor analysis 让 explanation 更完整，也为最后一段的 longitudinal effect 提供了 environmental context

    列举影响因素
  4. P4

    说谎的神经适应与升级机制

    这个 concluding segment 引用 2016 Nature Neuroscience study 揭示 lying 如何 alter the brain 并变得更容易。研究发现当人们 lie 时，amygdala 会产生 burst of activity（伴随 guilty feeling），但随着 repeated lying，这种 negative signal 逐渐 decrease。更关键的是，when facing no consequences，people's lies 会变得 more sensational，证明 multiple opportunities 会让 small lies escalate into bigger ones over time

    这个意群直接呼应主旨的 core claim：'lying becomes easier through repetition as emotional responses diminish' 和 'leading to escalating falsehoods'。它提供了 longitudinal mechanism 的 neurological evidence，完成了从 initial complexity 到 learned ease 的 explanatory arc，让整篇 expository article 形成 complete logical chain

    揭示重复导致升级
MAIN IDEA · 速判主旨

4 步定位这篇文章的主旨

不读完全篇也能锁定主旨——以下 4 步按2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 这篇原文的实际行文顺序给出，每步说明看哪里、看出什么，可直接迁移到其他英语六级文章。

  1. 首段核心主题定位 P1

    说明文的 first paragraph 通常会 present 文章要解释的 phenomenon 或 concept。这里第一段明确提出 lying 这个行为以及它如何 change us，同时引入 psychologist 的观点，establishing 了文章的 focus area

  2. 实证研究线索追踪 P2 P4

    第二段和第四段都 present specific studies（Harvard cognitive neuroscientist 的 fMRI research 和 Nature Neuroscience 的 2016 study），这些 empirical evidence 都指向同一个方向：lying 涉及 complex cognitive processes 并且会 alter brain responses over time

  3. 递进发展模式识别 P1 P2 P4

    文章明显呈现 temporal progression：从 children lying as early as age two，到 lying takes work 的 initial stage，再到 dishonesty alters brains making it easier，最后到 little lies get bigger over time。这个 progression 揭示了 lying 作为 learned behavior 的 escalating nature

  4. 三维信息整合归纳 P1 P2 P3 P4

    将第一步的 central subject（lying changes us），第二步的 mechanism（complex cognitive processes，brain alterations），第三步的 pattern（learned behavior，escalating over time）整合起来，就得到完整主旨：dishonesty 是需要 complex cognition 的 learned behavior，通过 repetition 变得 easier 因为 emotional responses diminish，尤其 without consequences 会导致 escalating falsehoods

主旨信号词 changes us P1 sophisticated planning P1 alters people's brains P4 making it easier P4 when we don't punish P3 start with little lies which get bigger P4

MAIN IDEA · 主旨

这篇文章在说什么

这篇说明文解释了说谎的心理学和神经科学机制,表明不诚实是一种需要复杂认知过程的习得行为。研究显示,随着大脑情绪反应的减弱,反复说谎会变得更容易,尤其在没有后果的情况下,会导致谎言随时间不断升级。
This expository article explains the psychology and neuroscience of lying, demonstrating that dishonesty is a learned behavior requiring complex cognitive processes. Research shows lying becomes easier through repetition as the brain's emotional responses diminish, especially without consequences, leading to escalating falsehoods over time.
WORD INFERENCE · 生词推断

5 个生词的上下文推断

不查词典，只用文中线索推出词义——每个词给出推断出的释义与 完整推理链。已收录进英语六级高频真题词集的单词可点击进入词条页。

  • rationalise 为(不当行为)找理由/合理化解释

    让我们把这些 clues 串联起来。首先，从 syntactic structure 看，rationalise 和 stressed、seeing others being dishonest 是并列的 conditions，都是让 lying 更容易发生的因素。其次，从 morphology 角度，rational + ise 表示'使某事变得 reasonable'。最后，从 contextual logic 看，这个词与 moral reminders 形成对比——moral reminders 让我们难以为 lies 找借口。综合这三条线索，rationalise 在这里指的是我们给自己的 dishonest behavior 找 justification 或 excuse 的 mental process，让自己觉得 lying 是 acceptable 或 understandable 的。

    句法+构词+主题的三维交叉验证
  • falsehood 谎言/虚假陈述

    整合三个维度的 evidence：从 collocation pattern 看，falsehood 可以被 utter，可以 get more sensational，说明它是 spoken statement with varying degrees。从 word formation 看，false + hood 直接构成'虚假性/虚假的东西'这个 abstract noun。从 semantic context 看，falsehood 在讨论 dishonesty 和 deceiving 的段落中反复出现，与 lying behavior 直接相关。这三条线索共同指向一个结论：falsehood 就是'lie'或'false statement'的 formal expression。

    搭配+构词+语义场的生态定位
  • amygdala 杏仁核(大脑情绪处理区域)

    虽然文中对 amygdala 给出了 explicit definition，但我们通过 contextual clues 也能推断出来。从 prepositional phrase 'in their amygdala' 看，它是 body location；从与 frontal parietal network, neural centers 的 parallel structure 看，它是 brain region；从 functional description 看，它与 emotional responses especially guilt when lying 密切相关。综合这些 clues，即使不知道这个 technical term，也能推断出 amygdala 是 brain 中负责 emotional processing especially negative emotions 的某个 specific region。

    位置+类别+功能的科学术语定位
  • deceive 欺骗/蒙骗

    整合三条 reasoning lines：从 contrastive structure 看，deceive 与 tell the truth 对立，与 lie 同义；从 morphology 看，de-(away) + ceive(take) 构成'lead away from truth'的含义；从 instrumental context 看，deceive 是为了 personal gain 而让对方 believe false information 的 action。三条线索共同指向：deceive 表示'欺骗、蒙骗'，即通过 false information 或 misleading behavior 让他人 form wrong beliefs，usually for one's own benefit。

    对立+词源+场景的三角定位
  • sensational 耸人听闻的/夸张的

    综合分析三个维度：从 comparative structure 看，sensational 是可以 intensify 的 quality，与 bigger 平行，描述 lies 的 escalation；从 morphology 看，sensation + al 表示'causing strong sensation'或'shocking, dramatic'；从 causal logic 看，当 moral restraint(amygdala activity)减弱时，lies 变得 more sensational，说明这个词描述的是 lies 变得更 extreme, exaggerated, or outrageous。三条线索汇聚到：sensational 在这里表示'耸人听闻的、夸张的'，描述 lies 在程度和 dramatic effect 上的升级。

    程度+词源+逻辑的三维推断
RHETORIC · 修辞手法

7 处修辞手法与仿写

每处修辞给出它在本文的具体用法、同类信号词清单与一份可直接套用的 写作仿写建议——读完能认，也能写。

  • 引资料

    P1

    文章开篇就 quote 了 Duke University 的 behavioural psychologist Dan Ariely 的观点，指出 lying 的 dangerous thing 在于人们不理解 the act 如何 changes us。这个 expert opinion 为整篇文章奠定了 authoritative foundation，让读者从一开始就意识到 lying 不仅是 moral issue，更是会 alter our brain 的 psychological phenomenon。通过引用 专家的话，文章建立了 credibility，也预示了后文会从 neuroscience 和 psychology 角度深入探讨。

    信号词 says according to points out argues claims states notes observes suggests research shows studies indicate experts believe

    仿写： 当你想 establish authority 或引入一个 complex topic 时，可以思考：哪位 expert 的观点最能 capture the essence？比如写 social media addiction，你可以用 'According to Stanford psychologist Dr. X, the real danger of social media lies in...' 这样的 opening。模版：'[Expert name/title] says/points out/argues that [核心观点], which [explains/suggests/reveals] [deeper implication].'

  • 列数字

    P1 P4

    文章在 第1段 提到 children lying as early as the age of two，这个 specific age 让 developmental milestone 的说法变得 concrete and credible。在 第4段 提到 2016 study，通过 precise time reference 增强了 research 的 timeliness 和 verifiability。这些 numerical data 让 abstract psychological concepts 变得 measurable and tangible，帮助读者理解 lying 是一个可以被 scientifically studied 的 phenomenon，而不是 vague moral judgment。

    信号词 age of two 2016 age year percent times rate number amount duration frequency

    仿写： 当描述 development stages、research findings 或 statistical patterns 时，问自己：能否用 specific number 替代 'early' 'recently' 这类 vague terms？比如与其说 'children develop quickly'，不如说 'children master basic grammar by age 3'。模版：'[Phenomenon] occurs as early as [specific age/time], suggesting [implication]' 或 'In a [year] study, researchers found [specific finding].'

  • 举例子

    P2 P4

    第2段 中，作者举了 Joshua Greene 的 fMRI study 作为 concrete example，展示 subjects 在 monetary gain 的 temptation 下如何 make decision between truth and dishonesty。这个 experimental scenario 把 abstract cognitive process 变成了 observable brain activity patterns。第4段 举了 game experiment 的例子，where people won money by deceiving partners，这个 specific setup 生动展示了 how dishonesty escalates 的 mechanism。Examples 让 neuroscience findings 不再 abstract，读者能 visualize 实验过程和 relate to real-life situations。

    信号词 In studies for example for instance such as in a study in experiments consider the case take the example of illustrated by demonstrated through

    仿写： 当阐述 complex mechanism 或 abstract principle 时，思考：什么 specific scenario 能最好地 demonstrate this process？比如解释 confirmation bias，可以描述 'when investors see falling stock prices, they tend to...' 这样的 concrete situation。模版：'In [study/experiment], [subjects] [specific action], which [demonstrated/revealed] [key finding]. This suggests [broader implication].'

  • 作比较

    P2

    第2段 中通过对比 'Some people told the truth instantly and instinctively' 与 'But others opted to lie'，展示了 different neural patterns：truth-tellers 没有额外的 brain activity，而 liars 显示 increased activity in frontal parietal control network。这个 comparative analysis 突出了 lying requires cognitive effort 这一 key point。通过 juxtapose 两组人的 brain responses，文章让读者清晰看到 lying 不是 automatic response，而是 deliberate choice involving complex thinking。这种对比让 abstract neuroscience findings 变得 interpretable and meaningful。

    信号词 But others while whereas in contrast on the other hand however conversely unlike compared to rather than instead

    仿写： 当想 emphasize a particular characteristic 时，问自己：what contrasting case 能 make this feature stand out？比如说明 expertise development，可以对比 'Novices focus on surface details, while experts recognize underlying patterns'。模版：'[Group A] [behavior/characteristic], while/but [Group B] [contrasting behavior/characteristic], suggesting [key difference/implication].'

  • 作诠释

    P1 P4

    第1段 在提到 lying 是 developmental milestone 后，立刻 explain 'because it requires sophisticated planning, attention and the ability to see a situation from someone else's perspective'。这个 elaboration 把 why lying is a milestone 说清楚了，让读者理解 lying 背后的 cognitive complexity。第4段 在描述 amygdala activity decrease 后，诠释道 'This means that if you give people multiple opportunities to lie for their own benefit, they start with little lies which get bigger over time'。这个 interpretation 把 neuroscience finding 转化为 practical implication，帮助读者 grasp the real-world significance of the brain changes。

    信号词 because this means this suggests in other words that is meaning which explains indicating that implying showing that

    仿写： 当提出一个 surprising claim 或 technical finding 时，问自己：readers 可能会问 'why' 或 'what does this really mean'？然后用 'because', 'this suggests', 'in other words' 引入 clarification。比如说 'Sleep deprivation impairs decision-making because it disrupts prefrontal cortex function, the brain region responsible for executive control'。模版：'[Statement], because/meaning/suggesting [underlying reason/mechanism/implication].'

  • 分类别

    P3

    第3段 将影响 lying 的 conditions 分为两个 categories：'more likely to lie' 和 'less likely to lie'。在 'more likely' 中列举了 able to rationalise it, stressed and fatigued, see others being dishonest 等 situations；在 'less likely' 中列举了 moral reminders, think others are watching 等 conditions。这种 categorical organization 让 complex influencing factors 变得 structured and systematic，帮助读者清晰理解 what external factors promote or inhibit dishonest behavior。通过分类，原本 scattered 的 factors 形成了 coherent framework。

    信号词 more likely...less likely can be divided into falls into categories types of kinds of classified as on one hand...on the other hand first type...second type includes

    仿写： 当面对 multiple factors 或 diverse aspects 时，思考：能否按照某个 meaningful criterion 进行 grouping？比如讨论 learning strategies，可以分为 'active strategies (self-testing, elaboration) and passive strategies (re-reading, highlighting)'。模版：'[Subject] can be divided into [Category A] and [Category B]. [Category A] includes [examples], while [Category B] involves [examples].'

  • 打比方

    P1

    第1段 将 lying 比作 developmental milestone，'like crawling and walking'。这个 simile 非常巧妙，让读者立刻 visualize lying 和 physical development 的 parallel：both are natural stages that require certain cognitive/physical abilities to emerge。通过这个 familiar comparison（爬行和走路是人人都经历的 milestones），文章把 potentially controversial claim（lying 是 milestone）变得 relatable and acceptable。这个比方 normalize 了 lying as part of development，而非纯粹 negative behavior，为后文的 scientific analysis 铺垫了 objective tone。

    信号词 like as similar to resembles comparable to analogous to just as in the same way parallel to

    仿写： 当引入 abstract or counterintuitive concept 时，问自己：what everyday experience shares similar characteristics？比如解释 neural plasticity，可以说 'the brain is like a muscle—it grows stronger with exercise'。模版：'[Abstract concept] is like [familiar reference], in that both [shared characteristic]' 或 '[Concept], like [familiar example], requires [key feature].'

IMPLIED MEANING · 言外之意

6 处话里有话

作者没有明说、但靠信号词传递出来的态度与暗示——每处给出原文片段、信号词类型与解读。

  • 撒谎是普遍存在且发展必然的行为

    P1
    Some experts even consider lying a developmental milestone, like crawling and walking

    递进强调类 even actually in fact indeed surprisingly remarkably notably

    这个 implication 通过 even 传递出:撒谎不是 moral failure,而是 cognitive sophistication 的 sign。这为文章 main thesis 奠定了 foundation——既然撒谎是 developmental necessity,那么理解 how it changes us 就变得 critically important。它 reframes lying 从 purely moral issue 到 psychological and neurological phenomenon,为后续的 brain science discussion 做 preparation

  • 诚实是本能,撒谎需要认知努力

    P2
    Some people told the truth instantly and instinctively. But others opted to lie, and they showed increased activity in their frontal parietal control network

    转折对比类 But but however yet nevertheless whereas while

    这个 but 传递的 deeper meaning 是:撒谎不是 automatic response,而是 conscious choice requiring mental work。这个 insight 对 main thesis 至关重要,因为它 establishes 撒谎的 cognitive cost。如果撒谎 initially difficult,那么后面提到的 'lying becomes easier' 这个 progression 就更 significant——它说明 repeated dishonesty fundamentally changes brain function

  • 大脑奖励机制驱动撒谎倾向

    P2
    people whose neural reward centers were more active when they won money were also more likely to be among the group of liars – suggesting that lying may have to do with the inability to resist temptation

    推断暗示类 suggesting that indicating that implying that pointing to hinting at raising the possibility that this suggests

    这个 suggesting 传递的 underlying message 是:撒谎不仅关乎 cognitive effort,更关乎 reward-seeking and self-control。这 deepens 文章对撒谎的 explanation,从 'lying requires work' 发展到 'some people are neurologically predisposed to lie for gain'。这为第四段的 escalation pattern 提供了 neurological basis——如果 reward centers drive lying,那么 repeated rewards 会 reinforce the behavior

  • 缺乏惩罚机制会加剧撒谎行为

    P3
    We as a society need to understand that, when we don't punish lying, we increase the probability it will happen again

    条件否定暗示类 when we don't if we don't without unless failing to in the absence of when there's no

    这个 when we don't 的 deeper meaning 是:社会对撒谎的 tolerance 是问题的 contributing factor。这 shifts 文章 focus 从 individual psychology 到 social accountability,暗示 lying 的 escalation 不仅是 neurological process,也是 social environment 的 product。这为文章 conclusion 做 transition——understanding how dishonesty changes the brain 应该 inform how we create consequences

  • 重复撒谎导致情感钝化

    P4
    when scientists had their subjects play a game—in which they won money by deceiving their partner, they noticed the negative signals from the amygdala began to decrease

    渐进变化类 began to started to gradually over time increasingly progressively little by little

    这个 began to 揭示的 critical insight 是:大脑的 moral alarm system 会被 repeated dishonesty 逐渐 desensitized。这是文章 main thesis 的 neurological proof——撒谎确实 'changes us' by literally altering brain response。这个 progressive decline 解释了为什么 'little lies get bigger over time',因为 emotional brake(内疚感)逐渐 失效

  • 谎言在无后果环境中会升级

    P4
    Not only that, but when people faced no consequences for dishonesty, their falsehood tended to get even more sensational

    递进叠加类 Not only that, but not only...but not just...but also moreover furthermore additionally what's more

    这个 not only...but 揭示的 alarming pattern 是:撒谎不仅变得 easier,而且会 escalate in magnitude。这 completes 文章的 central argument——repeated dishonesty without consequences creates a downward spiral where both 情感约束 weakens and 行为越界 increases。这个 compounding effect 是文章 most critical insight,explaining how 'little lies' inevitably become 'bigger lies'

AUTHOR ATTITUDE · 作者态度

作者态度：客观中立

结论先行：本文作者态度为客观中立（ Informative with a cautionary undertone）。下面是按步骤还原的判断过程与文中的态度信号词。

  1. 开篇引言定调 P1

    因为说明文作者本人很少直接表态,所以他会挑选带有emotional coloring的引语放在段首,比如"dangerous"这个词,这其实是作者在借他人之口传递自己的立场。

  2. 情感反应词捕捉 P2 P4

    说明文虽然以fact-stating为主,但作者在描述neural activity或brain response时,如果选用guilty、fear这类负面词,就等于在事实叙述里悄悄夹带了态度。

  3. 权威引语借势 P1 P3

    说明文常常把作者真正想表达的态度,包装成专家的建议或警示,这样既保持了表面的objectivity,又完成了态度传递。

  4. 多线索汇总判定 P1 P2 P3 P4

    说明文的态度往往不是一句话说完,而是分散在各段的用词细节里,只有把这些clues拼在一起,才能看出作者是单纯report科研发现,还是暗含对说谎危害的担忧。

文中的态度信号词

  • dangerous P1

    这个词出现在文章第一句,直接给lying这个话题贴上negative标签,让读者从一开始就感受到作者并非在做纯中立的百科式介绍。

    同类词 risky harmful alarming threatening

  • guilty P4

    作者用guilty、sinking feeling来描述说谎时大脑amygdala的反应,把原本中性的神经科学描述染上了moral judgment的色彩。

    同类词 sinking fear anxiety negative signals

  • get even more sensational P4

    这个短语描述说谎在没有consequence时会不断escalate,暗示作者对这种失控趋势持有明显的concern。

    同类词 get bigger escalate increase the probability more sensational worsen

  • need to understand P3

    Ariely用这句带有呼吁语气的话,把整篇文章从单纯的科研report提升到对社会的warning,是作者借专家口吻表达自己立场的关键句。

    同类词 should must have to recognize it's important that

GENRE · 速判体裁

30 秒判定这是一篇说明文

体裁决定读法与出题套路。以下判断步骤与标志词全部以本文为例，可直接迁移到其他英语六级 真题文章。

如何快速判断这是一篇说明文？

  1. 首句呈现现象或概念 P1

    说明文的首句会 state facts 或 introduce a topic objectively，比如这里引用专家 Dan Ariely 来 explain lying 这个现象。如果是议论文，开头会 present a claim 或 controversial viewpoint；如果是新闻报道，会用 lead paragraph 突出 who/what/when/where 的 breaking news elements。

  2. 密集引用科研成果 P2 P4

    这篇文章中有 Harvard cognitive neuroscientist Joshua Greene 的 research、functional MRI studies、Nature Neuroscience journal 的 2016 study 等。说明文用 research findings 来 illustrate and explain；议论文虽然也可能 cite evidence，但目的是 support an argument；新闻报道会 report events 而非 systematically explain research。

  3. 递进式解释框架 P1 P2 P3 P4

    文章从 第1段 introduce lying behavior，第2段 explain neural mechanisms，第3段 discuss external conditions，第4段 reveal long-term brain changes。这是典型的 layered explanation structure。议论文会用 claim-counterclaim-rebuttal structure；新闻用 inverted pyramid 把 most important info 放前面。

  4. 作者保持中立解释 P1 P2 P3 P4

    说明文的 tone 是 informative and objective，focus 在 explaining how things work。议论文会有 clear thesis statement 和 author's position（'I believe...' 或 'We should...'）。新闻报道虽然 objective，但 emphasize recent events 和 public interest，不是 systematic explanation。

  5. 多维特征综合判断 P1 P2 P3 P4

    这篇文章完整地 demonstrate 了说明文的 defining characteristics：它不是在 argue a position（议论文），也不是在 report breaking news（新闻），而是在 systematically explain a phenomenon through scientific lens。整体 framework 是 'What is lying + How does it work in brain + What affects it + What are long-term consequences'，这是 pure explanation。

哪些词暴露了说明文体裁？

  • Psychologists have documented P1 研究结果引述词 studies show research indicates scientists have found experts suggest evidence demonstrates
  • because it requires P1 因果解释连接词 because since as due to owing to
  • Some experts even consider P1 专家观点引述词 experts consider specialists believe researchers regard scholars view authorities define
  • Harvard cognitive neuroscientist Joshua Greene says P2 具名专家引述词 Dr. X says Professor Y states Researcher Z explains Scholar A notes Scientist B points out
  • In studies, he gave subjects P2 研究过程描述词 In studies In experiments In the research During the trial The study involved
  • which maps blood flow to P2 功能机制说明词 which maps which measures which tracks which monitors which detects
  • This suggests that P2 推论解释词 This indicates that This implies that This means that This shows that This reveals that
  • For a follow-up analysis P2 研究进程标记词 For a follow-up study In subsequent research In a related experiment In further investigation In additional tests
  • External conditions also matter in terms of P3 因素分类说明词 factors include conditions matter in terms of elements affect variables influence aspects determine
  • We are more likely to lie, when P3 条件规律说明词 We are more likely to... when People tend to... when X occurs when Y happens under conditions where Z increases when
  • In a 2016 study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience P4 研究出处标注词 In a study published in According to research in As reported in A paper in... found Research appearing in
  • When people uttered a falsehood, the scientists noticed P4 观察发现说明词 scientists noticed researchers observed investigators found analysts detected scholars identified
  • The amygdala is a crucial part of the brain that produces P4 定义描述说明词 X is a... that Y is defined as Z refers to A consists of B represents
  • This means that if you give people P4 含义解释词 This means that In other words That is to say Put differently To put it simply
SENTENCE INSIGHTS · 句子精讲

5 句真题句逐层精讲

下列真题句各有独立的句子解析页——中文翻译、结构树逐层拆解、成分与时态、考点讲解与真题高频词。点击句子进入完整解析。

FAQ · 常见问题

关于 2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 的常见问题

2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章的主旨是什么？
2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章说明文解释了说谎的心理学和神经科学机制,表明不诚实是一种需要复杂认知过程的习得行为。研究显示,随着大脑情绪反应的减弱,反复说谎会变得更容易,尤其在没有后果的情况下,会导致谎言随时间不断升级。（英文表述：This expository article explains the psychology and neuroscience of lying, demonstrating that dishonesty is a learned behavior requiring complex cognitive processes. Research shows lying becomes easier through repetition as the brain's emotional responses diminish, especially without consequences, leading to escalating falsehoods over time.）
2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章是什么体裁？难度如何？
体裁为说明文，作者立场是客观中立（Informative with a cautionary undertone）。CEFR 难度 C1，全文 440 词、4 段；在英语六级全部 593 篇真题文章中，C1 级共 343 篇（占 58%）。
2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章的篇章结构是怎样的？
全文 4 段按说明文骨架分为 4 个意群：第1段——说谎的认知复杂性与发展性；第2段——说谎的神经机制与个体差异；第3段——影响说谎的外部条件；第4段——说谎的神经适应与升级机制。
2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章的作者态度是什么？
作者态度是客观中立（Informative with a cautionary undertone）。判断路径：开篇引言定调 → 情感反应词捕捉 → 权威引语借势 → 多线索汇总判定；文中的态度信号词包括 dangerous（第1段）、guilty（第4段）、get even more sensational（第4段）、need to understand（第3段）。
2019年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part III Section C (1) 文章中有哪些值得积累的生词？
按文中出现顺序共 5 个：rationalise（为(不当行为)找理由/合理化解释）、falsehood（谎言/虚假陈述）、amygdala（杏仁核(大脑情绪处理区域)）、deceive（欺骗/蒙骗）、sensational（耸人听闻的/夸张的），每个词的词义都可以由文中上下文线索推断得出。

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