2020年12月英语六级真题第1套 Part II Section C (2)

Now, believe it or not, people sometimes lie in order to maintain a good, honest reputation—even if it hurts them to do so.

委婉表达 believe it or not surprisingly oddly enough strangely counterintuitively unexpectedly against all odds

作者通过 believe it or not 这个 phrase 明确 signal 即将呈现的 finding 是 counterintuitive 的——人们竟然会 lie to appear honest even when it costs them。这个 implication creates intrigue 并 establishes the central paradox that drives 整篇文章。对于 main thesis 的作用是:它 sets up the fundamental tension between actual honesty and perceived honesty,这正是 the third type of lying 的 defining characteristic。这种 opening strategy makes readers curious about how this paradox works,从而为后续的 experimental evidence and theoretical explanation 做好铺垫。

With surprising results, they found that 12% of respondents reported the distance they drove as less than the actual figure, giving an average answer of 384 miles.

情态词 With surprising results surprising unexpected remarkable astonishing striking notable

Surprising results 这个 phrase explicitly tells us 这个 12% underreporting rate 不是 trivial or predictable,而是 challenges our assumptions about rational self-interest。The implication 是:如果人们 truly acted rationally for financial gain,不该有人 underreport mileage。这个 finding directly supports the main thesis by providing concrete evidence that people sacrifice money to maintain reputation。对 article structure 的作用是:这个 surprising data serves as the empirical foundation for the theoretical claim about the third type of lying,making the argument more credible。

The researchers believe this was to seem honest, with the assumption being that others would be suspicious of a high expense claim.

模糊限制语 with the assumption being that presumably it is assumed that the assumption is one might assume arguably it seems likely that

With the assumption being that 这个 phrase reveals 研究者在 making an inferential leap:他们观察到 underreporting behavior,然后 infer 背后的 motivation is fear of appearing dishonest。The implication 是这个 explanation isn't directly proven by the data,而是 researchers' interpretation。对 main thesis 的价值在于:虽然是 assumption,但这个 reasoning logically connects the behavior (underreporting) to the proposed motive (maintaining honest reputation),从而 builds the theoretical framework for the third type of lying。这种 cautious presentation also adds credibility by showing researchers acknowledge the interpretive nature of their claims。

If they care enough, their concern about appearing honest and not losing the respect of others may be greater than their desire to actually be honest.

条件句 If they care enough if provided that as long as on condition that given that assuming that

If they care enough 这个 conditional clause 暗示不是所有人都会 engage in reputation-protecting lies,只有 those who care sufficiently about others' perceptions 才会。The implication 是这种 lying behavior has a threshold:只有当 reputation concern crosses a certain intensity level,人们才会 sacrifice honesty for appearance。对 main thesis 的作用是:这个 qualification makes the argument more nuanced and credible by acknowledging individual differences,同时 it explains why this third type of lying isn't universally observed but occurs under specific psychological conditions where reputation value exceeds honesty value。

So why is this research important?

反问句 So why is this research important? why is this important what does this mean how does this matter why should we care what are the implications why does this matter

这个 rhetorical question signals 文章从 presenting research findings 转向 explaining broader implications。The implication 是前面的 experimental data 不是孤立的,而是 fits into a larger theoretical framework about lying。对 article structure 的作用是:这个 question creates a natural transition,prompting readers to consider how this new finding relates to existing knowledge about lying。它 sets up paragraph 6's discussion of lie typology,从而 justify why the third type of lying deserves recognition as a distinct category。这种 structural device makes the logical flow more explicit。

Now this hypothesis is new and some skeptics argue that this isn't a whole new category of lie.

对比类 some skeptics argue skeptics argue critics claim some contend opponents suggest detractors say doubters maintain

Some skeptics argue 这个 phrase explicitly acknowledges 第三类谎言的 classification is controversial。The implication 是这个 hypothesis 还处于 being debated rather than widely accepted,意味着 readers should view it as a proposed framework rather than proven fact。对 main thesis 的作用是双重的:一方面,acknowledging skepticism shows intellectual honesty and adds credibility;另一方面,it prepares readers for paragraph 8 where the author will defend the hypothesis by explaining why it seems intuitive,从而 complete the argumentative structure by presenting both sides before taking a position。

But the findings seem intuitive to me.

模糊限制语 seem intuitive to me seem intuitive strike me as appear to be it seems to me I find it makes sense to me

Seem intuitive to me 这个 phrase 表明作者在 responding to skeptics by appealing to intuitive reasoning rather than empirical evidence。The implication 是虽然 hard proof may be limited,但 the logic makes common sense。对 main thesis 的价值在于:after presenting skepticism in paragraph 7,作者 uses intuitive appeal to defend the third-type-of-lying hypothesis,arguing 既然 lying to gain status is common,那么 lying to maintain status (by appearing honest) logically follows。这种 reasoning strategy closes the article by giving readers a way to personally evaluate the claim's plausibility beyond just accepting researcher assertions。

So it seems highly likely that people will lie to seem honest.

模糊限制语 So it seems highly likely that it seems likely probably it's probable that chances are most likely in all likelihood

Seems highly likely 这个 phrase 表明作者在 making a general inference from specific findings。The implication 是虽然 experiment only showed 12% underreporting in one scenario,作者 extends this to a broader claim about human behavior。对 main thesis 的作用是:这个 carefully hedged conclusion ties together the evidence and reasoning,asserting the third type of lying is real while acknowledging it's an inference rather than proven fact。这种 measured conclusion reinforces the article's main point while maintaining intellectual honesty about the limits of what can be definitively claimed from the research presented。