懒笔记
2013年考研英语一真题 Section I A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first
Postgraduate · 来自 2013年考研英语一真题 · Section I · 完形填空（四选一）

A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first

2013年考研英语一真题文章逐层精读

The Economist《经济学人》2012 年6月一篇题为 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first（判断问题∶面试官青睐先来的面试者）的文章。

本页是 2013年考研英语一真题 Section I 文章的精读视角页——这篇说明文全文 289 词、4 段，CEFR 难度 C1（C1 级在考研英语一文章中占 90%），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，其中能迁移到其他考研英语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2013年考研英语一真题 Section I 的完形填空（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。

A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first

People are, on the whole, poor at considering background information when making individual decisions. At first glance this might seem like a strength that grants the ability to make judgments which are unbiased by external factors. But Dr Uri Simonsohn speculated that an inability to consider the big picture was leading decision-makers to be biased by the daily samples of information they were working with. For example, he theorised that a judge fearful of appearing too soft on crime might be more likely to send someone to prison if he had already sentenced five or six other defendants only to forced community service on that day.

To test this idea, he turned to the university-admissions process. In theory, the success of an applicant should not depend on the few others chosen randomly for interview during the same day, but Dr Simonsohn suspected the truth was otherwise.

He studied the results of 9,323 MBA interviews conducted by 31 admissions officers. The interviewers had rated applicants on a scale of one to five. This scale took numerous factors into consideration. The scores were then used in conjunction with an applicant's score on the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, a standardised exam which is marked out of 800 points, to make a decision on whether to accept him or her.

Dr Simonsohn found if the score of the previous candidate in a daily series of interviewees was 0.75 points or more higher than that of the one before that, then the score for the next applicant would drop by an average of 0.075 points. This might sound small, but to undo the effects of such a decrease a candidate would need 30 more GMAT points than would otherwise have been necessary.

PARAGRAPHS · 逐段精读

4 段逐段主旨与解读

逐段拆解2013年考研英语一真题 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 Problem of Context Neglect

    Decision-makers may be biased by recent information because they ignore the broader context.

    本段为全文建立了 theoretical framework：决策并非完全独立，而可能被近期样本左右。它也提出 Dr Simonsohn 的 speculation，为后文选择 MBA admissions、开展 data study 并报告结果提供了研究动机。

    抓转折后的问题
  2. P2

    Testing the Admissions Hypothesis

    Dr Simonsohn used university admissions to test whether previous interviewees affect applicants' evaluations.

    本段把首段较抽象的 decision bias 转化为可观察、可检验的 admissions scenario。它连接了“提出偏差问题”和“展示研究数据”两个部分，使全文论证从猜想自然过渡到证据。

    辨明研究假设
  3. P3

    Data and Evaluation Measures

    The study's large MBA interview dataset and rating system provided the basis for measuring admissions decisions.

    本段为全文的结论提供 methodological credibility：研究既有足量 interviews，也有可量化的 ratings。尤其是它说明评分会参与最终录取，因此后文 0.075 points 的变化能够被理解为具有现实 admission impact。

    整合样本与指标
  4. P4

    Evidence of Sequential Rating Bias

    Previous candidates' high scores lowered later applicants' ratings, with significant consequences for admission chances.

    本段以具体 statistical evidence 完成全文论证，直接证实 admissions officers 的评价会受近期样本影响。它不仅回应首段“忽视大背景会产生 bias”的观点，也借助 GMAT 的补偿分值凸显这种偏差对 applicants 的实际不公平。

    串联数据与后果
SELF CHECK · 段落自检题

4 道逐段细节自检题

针对2013年考研英语一真题这篇原文，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 Dr Uri Simonsohn consider the big picture

    What did Dr Uri Simonsohn believe could result from decision-makers' failure to consider the big picture?

    • A They might make judgments completely free from external factors.
    • B They might become less concerned about appearing soft on crime.
    • C They might become biased by the daily samples of information available to them.
    • D They might send all defendants to prison after several community-service sentences.
    • E They might ignore the information from the cases handled earlier that day.
    • F They might base their decisions only on standardized test scores.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：C

    该项准确复现原文的 causal structure：无法把握整体情况是原因，受到日常信息样本影响而产生 bias 是结果。选项保留了 might 的可能性语气，没有把具体人物例子扩大为普遍必然结论。障碍在于原文与选项使用了 available to them 等 paraphrase，考生需要识别同义改写而不能只依赖逐词匹配。

    结果槽位对齐 时间极紧时，用 Dr Uri Simonsohn 与 consider the big picture 在 第1段 做双重定位。定位后只提取相关句子的 cause-effect 骨架，并将题干中的 result 与句子中的结果端对齐。随后比较选项是否同时保持因果方向、概括范围和可能性语气；正确项应满足三项，而具体例子、反向表述和 absolute wording 均可迅速排除。

  2. 第 2 段 定位词 an applicant's success same day

    According to the theoretical expectation, an applicant's success should not be affected by what?

    • A The applicant's performance on the GMAT.
    • B The number of admissions officers available for interviews.
    • C The five-point scale used by the interviewers.
    • D The few other candidates randomly selected for interview on the same day.
    • E The crime-related decisions made earlier in the day.
    • F The total number of points on a standardized exam.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：D

    该项准确对应理论陈述中 applicant's success 不应依赖的偶然背景。它保留 few、randomly 与 same day 等限制，说明所指并非所有申请者或正式录取标准，而是同日随机组成的小范围样本。选项将 others 改写为 candidates，并调整介词表达，属于 natural paraphrase。

    应然关系截取 直接用 an applicant's success 与 same day 定位 第2段，再只读取 In theory 所统领的 should not depend on 结构。答案判定采用 criterion-versus-context 二分法：正确项应属于理论上不该左右结果的偶然背景，而正式能力指标、评分工具或研究样本数字即使真实出现，也不符合题干的否定依赖关系。

  3. 第 3 段 定位词 whether to accept applicant

    How were decisions on whether to accept an applicant made?

    • A By relying solely on the interviewer's five-point rating.
    • B By selecting the applicants with the highest GMAT scores.
    • C By counting the number of factors considered in each interview.
    • D By comparing each applicant with the previous interviewee.
    • E By combining interview ratings with applicants' GMAT scores.
    • F By assigning every applicant a standardized score out of 800 points.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：E

    该项完整改写了评分被用于录取决定的流程：combining 对应 used in conjunction with，interview ratings 对应面试官给出的分数，GMAT scores 对应申请者的标准化考试成绩。障碍在于两类信息分布在相邻句子中，需要 cross-sentence integration，而不能把五分制本身误当作完整决策依据。

    终点句逆取依据 在 第3段 中先用 whether to accept 直接定位结果句，不必从样本数量或评分范围开始顺读。随后只抽取与 make a decision 直接相连的 input structure，并检查各选项是否完整保留其数量与关系。正确项应对应完整流程；只保留单一信息、增加排名规则或改变计分对象的选项应排除。

  4. 第 4 段 定位词 candidate GMAT points

    What would a candidate need to counterbalance the reported decrease in an interview score?

    • A An additional 0.075 points on the interview scale.
    • B A score at least 0.75 points higher than the previous candidate's.
    • C A five-point interview rating from every admissions officer.
    • D Thirty more interviews during the same day.
    • E A lower score than the candidate interviewed immediately before.
    • F Thirty additional GMAT points.
    显示答案与解析 收起答案与解析

    正确答案：F

    原文明确说明，为抵消面试评分下降带来的影响，candidate would need 30 more GMAT points。正确项以 additional 改写 more，并完整保留 thirty、GMAT 与 points。主要障碍是同段存在多个数字，考生必须根据 compensation 的逻辑身份选择，而不能因为其他数字更接近评分下降的表面描述就误选。

    补偿数值单位绑定 在 第4段 中先用 candidate 与 GMAT points 做组合定位，随后围绕 counterbalance 只读取表达补偿关系的句子，不必先比较所有数字。判定时采用 number-unit binding：正确项必须同时保留补偿数字、计量单位和需求关系；数字看似相关但单位、对象或逻辑身份错误的选项立即排除。

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

    提出现象与研究假设

    这个意群首先 present 了一个 phenomenon：人们在 making decisions 时往往 poor at considering background information，接着引入 Dr. Simonsohn 的 speculation，他认为这种 inability 会导致 decision-makers 被 daily samples 所 bias，并用 judge sentencing 作为 example 来 illustrate 这个 hypothesis。

    作为 expository text 的 opening section，这个意群通过 presenting 一个 counterintuitive observation 来 establish 研究的 background 和 rationale，为后续的 empirical study 提供 theoretical foundation，是典型的说明文中 problem identification 的部分。

    提出研究者和核心假设
  2. P2

    选择研究场景与方法

    这个意群 shift 到 research design 阶段，说明 Simonsohn 如何 turn to university-admissions process 来 test 他的 idea，并明确指出 theoretical expectation（applicant success 不应该 depend on same-day interviewees）和 actual suspicion 之间的 contrast。

    在说明文的 methodological section 中，这个意群承担着 bridging function：它 connect 了前面的 theoretical hypothesis 和后面的 empirical data，通过 specifying research context 来让读者理解为什么 MBA admissions 是一个 appropriate testing ground。

    确定验证假设的场景
  3. P3

    描述研究数据与评估机制

    这个意群提供 detailed description of research procedure：包括 sample size（9,323 interviews），participants（31 officers），evaluation mechanism（one-to-five scale 和 numerous factors），以及 decision-making process（combine with GMAT scores）。整个段落 focus on explaining how the evaluation system works。

    在 expository text 的 data section 中，这个意群通过 providing methodological details 来 establish credibility 和 replicability。它让读者 understand 研究的 scope 和 evaluation mechanism，为接下来 interpret 研究 findings 提供 necessary context。

    说明数据收集过程
  4. P4

    呈现研究发现与影响

    这个意群 present 了 research findings：如果 previous candidate 的 score 比 the one before 高 0.75 points or more，那么 next applicant 的 score 会 drop by 0.075 points on average。段落还 contextualize 这个 effect 的 magnitude，指出要 undo 这个 impact 需要 30 more GMAT points。

    作为说明文的 findings section，这个意群是整个 exposition 的 climax，它通过 presenting quantitative evidence 来 validate 开篇的 hypothesis，并通过 concrete numbers 让抽象的 bias effect 变得 tangible and significant，直接 support 文章的 main point。

    展示验证假设的证据
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2013年考研英语一真题 这篇原文的实际行文顺序给出，每步说明看哪里、看出什么，可直接迁移到其他考研英语文章。

  1. 首段推测或假说 P1

    说明文的 main idea 往往在开篇就被 introduced，首段的 speculation 或 theory 就是整篇文章要 demonstrate 或 explore 的核心观点，它为后续的 research 或 evidence 设定了 direction

  2. 验证性转折标记 P2

    说明文通常遵循 'claim → evidence' 的 logic structure，transition markers 如 'To test'、'To verify'、'To examine' 等明确标示了文章从 theoretical speculation 进入 practical investigation 的阶段，这确认了首段的 speculation 确实是需要被 validated 的 main idea

  3. 数据因果验证 P3 P4

    说明文的主旨最终要靠 evidence 来 support，research findings 用 concrete data 来 prove 或 disprove initial hypothesis。当 results 与开篇的 speculation 形成 echo relationship 时，就 confirm 了文章主旨就是那个被验证的 claim

  4. 论证结构综合 P1 P2 P3 P4

    说明文的 main idea 不是单个 sentence，而是贯穿全文的 central argument。通过识别 speculation → test → findings 这个完整的 argumentative arc，你能准确把握作者的 ultimate message：不仅是提出一个 hypothesis，而是展示这个 hypothesis 如何被 empirically validated

主旨信号词 speculated P1 suspected P2 found P4 biased P1

MAIN IDEA · 主旨

这篇文章在说什么

Simonsohn博士的研究表明,决策者会受到近期信息样本的影响而产生偏见,通过MBA招生数据显示,面试官的评分会受到前一位候选人分数的影响,而非独立判断。
Dr. Simonsohn's research demonstrates that decision-makers are biased by recent information samples, showing through MBA admissions data that interviewers' ratings are influenced by previous candidates' scores rather than being independent judgments.
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。已收录进考研英语高频真题词集的单词可点击进入词条页。

  • grant 赋予、授予

    我们现在来 synthesize 这些 clues。首先，syntactic structure 告诉我们 grant 是 transitive verb，connects strength 和 ability；其次，semantic logic 显示这是一个 causal relationship，strength 产生了 ability 这个 result；最后，从 word family 的角度，grant 属于 giving 类动词的范畴。将这三条 threads 编织在一起：grant 表示的是一种赋予、授予的动作，即某个 quality 或 entity gives 或 provides 某种 capability 或 right 给另一个 entity。

    动词的句法-语义-构词三维解析
  • speculate 推测、猜想

    让我们把这些 pieces 拼在一起。Syntactic pattern 显示 speculate 是 mental verb，introduces an idea；discourse function 表明这个 idea 是 tentative 和 unproven 的；morphological structure 确认这是一个 formal, intellectual verb。综合起来，speculate 应该表示：在没有 conclusive evidence 的情况下，基于 reasoning 或 limited information 来 form 一个 hypothesis 或 theory。这是一种 intellectual conjecture 的 activity。

    认知动词的确定性梯度定位
  • conjunction 结合、联合

    现在我们 integrate 这些 insights。Collocation pattern 'in...with' 提示 combination；semantic scenario 展示了 two separate scores being brought together for decision-making；morphology 中的 con- prefix 和 -ion suffix 确认这是一个表示 joint action 的 noun。所有 evidence 都 point to 同一个 direction：conjunction 表示将 separate elements 联合、结合在一起的 state 或 act。在这个 academic context 中，它表示 two sets of data are used together，jointly contributing to the final judgment。

    抽象名词的搭配-场景-词素解析法
  • undo 消除、抵消

    这三条 clues 形成了一个 crystal-clear picture。Semantic logic 显示 undo 的 function 是 counteract negative effects；discourse context 确认这涉及 compensation 或 restoration；morphology 中的 un- prefix directly expresses reversal。所有 evidence converge on 一个 meaning：undo 就是 reverse 或 cancel out an action or its effects，把某个 change bring back to its original state。

    可逆前缀的形态优先推导法
  • bias 偏见、使有偏见

    让我们 weave together 这些 threads。Syntactic distribution 显示 bias 可以是 verb (be biased by) 也可以是 adjective (unbiased)，表示某种 influence process；semantic opposition 揭示 bias 与 objectivity 相对，是 negative quality；concrete example 展示 bias 导致 decisions deviate from what they should be based on relevant factors alone。综合来看，bias 表示的是一种 systematic tendency to favor 或 be influenced by irrelevant factors，导致 judgment 偏离 objectivity 或 fairness。

    核心概念的多角度全文印证法
RHETORIC · 修辞手法

5 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。

  • 举例子

    P1

    作者在第1段用法官判案这个example来illustrate他的theory。这个concrete case展示了judges在sentencing时会被same day之前的decisions影响，perfectly demonstrates了decision-makers如何被daily samples左右判断。这个vivid example让abstract concept变得tangible，帮助readers理解background information被忽视会导致什么样的bias，为后续的empirical study做好铺垫。

    信号词 For example For instance Such as To illustrate Consider Take... as an example A case in point Let's say Suppose that

    仿写： 当你want to explain一个abstract concept时，think about什么样的everyday scenario能够embody这个idea。Choose examples that your target audience能够easily relate to。写作时可以用transitional phrases比如'For example', 'For instance', 'Consider the case where'来introduce your example。模版：【提出理论观点】 + For example/For instance + 【具体场景描述】 + 【场景如何体现观点】。

  • 列数字

    P3 P4

    第3段和第4段大量使用了precise numbers：9,323 MBA interviews，31 admissions officers，scale of one to five，800 points for GMAT，0.75 points，0.075 points，30 more GMAT points。这些quantitative data为Dr Simonsohn的research提供了solid evidence，transform subjective observations into objective findings。Specific numbers让study的scale和findings的magnitude变得clear and measurable，significantly增强了argument的credibility和persuasiveness。

    信号词 scored rated marked out of points scale of average of percent times conducted by out of

    仿写： 当你need to support一个claim时，ask yourself：能否用具体数据quantify这个现象？Collect relevant statistics, measurements, or counts that directly relate to your point。Present numbers in context——单纯的数字without explanation意义有限。Use comparative structures让numbers更有impact，比如'X times more', 'increased by Y percent'。模版：【提出观点】 + 【具体数字数据】 + 【数字的significance解释】。

  • 作比较

    P4

    第4段中作者通过comparing不同scenarios展示bias的effect：'if the score of the previous candidate was 0.75 points or more higher'导致'the score for the next applicant would drop by 0.075 points'。这个comparison清楚地demonstrates了sequential effect的magnitude。更进一步，作者将0.075 points的decrease转换成'30 more GMAT points'这个equivalent，让readers能够grasp这个seemingly small number的actual significance。这种strategic comparison使abstract statistical findings变得concrete and meaningful。

    信号词 than more less higher lower compared to in contrast to whereas while on the other hand similarly likewise in comparison

    仿写： Identify什么aspects值得compare——可以是before/after, different conditions, or equivalent measurements in different scales。Use comparative structures like 'more/less than', 'higher/lower than', 'in contrast to'。Consider使用analogies或equivalences让abstract quantities更relatable。模版：【A情况数据】+ compared to/in contrast to/whereas + 【B情况数据】+ 【comparison的implication】。

  • 下定义

    P3

    第3段中作者defines key terms来ensure clarity：'the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, a standardised exam which is marked out of 800 points'。这个precise definition让readers understand exactly what GMAT is和its scoring system，eliminating potential confusion。通过providing这个clear definition，作者ensures所有readers——无论是否familiar with MBA admissions——都能fully comprehend后续discussion中GMAT scores的significance。这种definitional clarity是scientific writing的hallmark。

    信号词 or is defined as refers to means is which is that is in other words namely called

    仿写： When introducing specialized terms或acronyms，always provide definitions on first use。Structure your definition to include：【term】+ is/refers to + 【category】+ that/which + 【specific characteristics】。For acronyms，spell out the full name first，然后in parentheses或after 'or'给出acronym，followed by clarifying information if needed。模版：【Term/Acronym全称】, or 【简称】, 【category描述】which/that【distinguishing features】。

  • 作诠释

    P1 P2 P4

    第1段中'an inability to consider the big picture'是对'poor at considering background information'的诠释性表达，两者express同一个concept from different angles。第2段的'In theory...but Dr Simonsohn suspected the truth was otherwise'诠释了为什么this research matters——it challenges theoretical assumptions with suspected reality。第4段中'This might sound small, but...'这个interpretive statement帮助readers understand看似insignificant的0.075 points实际上has substantial consequences。这些interpretations guide readers理解data的deeper meaning beyond surface numbers。

    信号词 but In other words That is to say This means Put differently In essence Essentially Actually The point is What this suggests

    仿写： After presenting一个fact或concept，consider adding interpretive statements来explain its significance。Use transitional phrases like 'In other words', 'This means', 'Put differently'。可以restate complex ideas in simpler terms，或explain potential misunderstandings with 'might seem...but actually'。模版：【initial statement】+ In other words/This means/Put differently + 【alternative explanation】+ 【significance】。或者：【statement】+ This might seem【one way】, but【actual significance】。

IMPLIED MEANING · 言外之意

4 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。

  • 表面优势实则暗藏缺陷

    P1
    At first glance this might seem like a strength that grants the ability to make judgments which are unbiased by external factors. But Dr Uri Simonsohn speculated that an inability to consider the big picture was leading decision-makers to be biased

    让步转折类 At first glance this might seem like It may appear that On the surface One might think Initially it seems At face value Superficially

    这个 implication 的 deeper meaning 是：忽略 background information 看似能保证 objectivity，实际却导致 decision-makers 被 immediate sample 左右，产生新的 bias。这对 article's thesis 起到 foundational role，因为它 establishes the paradox：追求 unbiased judgment 的 inability 反而造成 bias。这个 ironic twist 为后续的 empirical study 提供了 theoretical justification，说明为什么需要 investigate sequential effects in decision-making。

  • 理论与现实的预期差异

    P2
    In theory, the success of an applicant should not depend on the few others chosen randomly for interview during the same day, but Dr Simonsohn suspected the truth was otherwise

    对比类 In theory... but... suspected the truth was otherwise In theory... but Theoretically... however Should... but suspected Ideally... in reality Expected... observed Supposed to... actually

    这里的 implication 是：虽然 admissions process 理应 independent and fair，但 researcher 怀疑 interviewers' judgments 实际会受 same-day candidates 影响。这对 main thesis 的 value 在于它 bridges theoretical framework 和 empirical study：前文提出 general principle about decision bias，这里将它 apply to specific context（MBA admissions）。这个 implied doubt 为接下来的 data analysis 提供了 clear hypothesis，让 readers 理解为什么要 examine sequential effects in interviews。

  • 量化标准的精细程度

    P3
    The interviewers had rated applicants on a scale of one to five. This scale took numerous factors into consideration. The scores were then used in conjunction with an applicant's score on the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT, a standardised exam which is marked out of 800 points

    细节堆积类 on a scale of one to five... took numerous factors into consideration... in conjunction with on a scale of took... into consideration in conjunction with multiple factors standardised marked out of

    这段的 implication 是：MBA admissions 使用了 highly structured and comprehensive evaluation system，包括 multi-factor rating scale 和 standardized test scores。这对 thesis 的 contribution 在于制造 dramatic irony：即使在 such rigorous framework 下，decision-makers 仍然受到 sequential bias 影响。这种 implied contrast 让研究发现更 compelling，因为它表明 human cognitive limitations 能够 penetrate even well-designed institutional safeguards。这为 article's argument 提供了 stronger foundation。

  • 看似微小实则重大的影响

    P4
    This might sound small, but to undo the effects of such a decrease a candidate would need 30 more GMAT points than would otherwise have been necessary

    让步转折类 This might sound small, but may seem insignificant, however appears minor, yet looks trivial, but seemingly small, though on its face modest, but

    这里的 deeper meaning 是：0.075 points 的 decrease 看似 negligible，但换算成 GMAT equivalence 就是 30 points，这对 applicants 来说是 substantial disadvantage。这个 implication 对 main thesis 至关重要，因为它 quantifies the real-world consequences of sequential bias。通过将 abstract rating decrease 转化为 tangible test score requirement，作者让 readers 真正理解 bias 的 severity。这不仅 validates the research's practical importance，还强化了 opening argument：忽视 background information 确实会导致 significant and unfair outcomes。

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（ Objective and evidence-based）。下面是按步骤还原的判断过程与文中的态度信号词。

  1. 文体与主体识别 P1

    说明文的核心任务是imparting information而非argue for or against，因此若文章围绕一个researcher的study展开，作者往往只是充当reporter的角色，态度自然偏向neutral。

  2. 转述动词识别 P1 P2

    这些动词在说明文中起到区分'谁在说话'的作用，speculated和theorised都暗示这只是一种未被完全证实的假设，说明作者在保持distance，不代入自己的judgment。

  3. 情感色彩词汇扫描 P3 P4

    如果通篇找不到这种情感色彩词，只有像9,323 interviews、scale of one to five、800 points这样precise的data和numbers，那说明作者在用fact说话，而不是用feeling说话，这是判断客观中立态度最直接的证据。

  4. 证据链闭环确认 P1 P2 P3 P4

    三条证据链互相印证：作者只是在客观地summarize Dr. Simonsohn的study，从speculated到found，全程使用hedging与data-driven语言，没有任何个人化的价值判断，因此可以断定态度是objective and neutral。

文中的态度信号词

  • speculated P1

    speculated这个词表明这只是Dr. Simonsohn本人的推测，而不是作者下的定论，说明作者在做reported speech，借他人之口引出观点，自身保持neutral的旁观者立场。

    同类词 theorised might seem In theory

  • suspected P2

    suspected延续了第一段的tentative语气，表明这只是一个待test的hypothesis，而'in theory...but'的对比结构进一步说明作者在客观地铺陈一个待验证的矛盾，而非自己下结论。

    同类词 should not... but the truth was otherwise

  • 9,323 P3

    大量精确的数字和sample size的呈现，说明作者在用hard data支撑叙述，而不掺杂任何主观judgment，这是science reporting典型的客观笔法。

    同类词 9,323 MBA interviews 31 admissions officers scale of one to five marked out of 800 points

  • found P4

    found是一个standard的research reporting动词，用来客观呈现study的result；'This might sound small, but'只是在澄清数据的实际magnitude，并没有加入褒贬色彩，说明作者始终只是informative地转述finding。

    同类词 This might sound small, but on average

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，可直接迁移到其他考研英语 真题文章。

如何快速判断这是一篇说明文？

  1. 首段功能识别 P1

    说明文的 opening 通常会 introduce 一个现象或问题作为 starting point,比如这里的 'people are poor at considering background information'。而议论文会直接 present 作者的 viewpoint 或 claim,新闻报道则会用 lead paragraph 报道具体 event 的 who, what, when, where。

  2. 研究证据呈现 P2 P3 P4

    说明文常常会 reference specific research 或 studies 来 explain 某个现象,比如这里的 'Dr Simonsohn studied...' 和 'he turned to the university-admissions process'。议论文虽然也可能 cite evidence,但目的是 support an argument;新闻报道的 focus 是 recent events 而非 systematic research explanation。

  3. 篇章结构模式 P1 P2 P3 P4

    说明文的 typical structure 是先 present 一个现象(第1段),然后 introduce research method(第2段-3),最后 explain findings(第4段)。这种 structure 的目的是 inform 和 explain。议论文是 thesis-driven,按照 argument logic 组织;新闻是 inverted pyramid,重要信息在前。

  4. 语言客观性 P1 P2 P3 P4

    说明文的 tone 是 informative 和 objective,像这里用 'found', 'tested', 'studied' 这些 neutral verbs。议论文会用 'should', 'must', 'unfortunately' 这类 evaluative words 来 reveal author's stance。新闻会用 'according to', 'claimed', 'alleged' 这些 attribution markers。

  5. 文体目的确认 P1 P2 P3 P4

    综合前面四个 steps,我们能够 distinguish 说明文和其他 genres:说明文是 knowledge-oriented (传递知识),议论文是 opinion-oriented (表达观点),新闻是 event-oriented (报道事件)。这篇文章的 primary goal 是让读者 understand 一个 cognitive bias 是 how it works,而不是 convince 读者接受某个 viewpoint 或 inform 他们某个 recent happening。

哪些词暴露了说明文体裁？

  • speculated P1 研究推测引入词 theorised hypothesized proposed suggested postulated
  • To test this idea P2 实验过程衔接词 To verify this hypothesis To examine this phenomenon To investigate this theory To explore this question In order to test
  • conducted P3 研究实施描述词 carried out performed executed administered implemented
  • found P4 研究发现呈现词 discovered observed revealed showed demonstrated
  • In theory P2 理论与实际对比词 Theoretically In principle Ideally On paper Hypothetically
  • for example P1 具体例证引入词 for instance such as to illustrate as an illustration specifically
SENTENCE INSIGHTS · 句子精讲

7 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 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first 的常见问题

2013年考研英语一真题 Section I 文章 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first 的原文出自哪里？
The Economist《经济学人》2012 年6月一篇题为 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first（判断问题∶面试官青睐先来的面试者）的文章。
2013年考研英语一真题文章 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first 的主旨是什么？
Simonsohn博士的研究表明,决策者会受到近期信息样本的影响而产生偏见,通过MBA招生数据显示,面试官的评分会受到前一位候选人分数的影响,而非独立判断。（英文表述：Dr. Simonsohn's research demonstrates that decision-makers are biased by recent information samples, showing through MBA admissions data that interviewers' ratings are influenced by previous candidates' scores rather than being independent judgments.）
A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first（2013年考研英语一真题文章）是什么体裁？难度如何？
体裁为说明文，作者立场是客观中立（Objective and evidence-based）。CEFR 难度 C1，全文 289 词、4 段；在考研英语一全部 102 篇真题文章中，C1 级共 92 篇（占 90%）。
2013年考研英语一真题文章 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first 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——提出现象与研究假设；第2段——选择研究场景与方法；第3段——描述研究数据与评估机制；第4段——呈现研究发现与影响。
A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first 一文的作者态度是什么？
作者态度是客观中立（Objective and evidence-based）。判断路径：文体与主体识别 → 转述动词识别 → 情感色彩词汇扫描 → 证据链闭环确认；文中的态度信号词包括 speculated（第1段）、suspected（第2段）、9,323（第3段）、found（第4段）。
2013年考研英语一真题文章 A Question of Judgment∶ Interviewers favour those seen first 中有哪些值得积累的生词？
按文中出现顺序共 5 个：grant（赋予、授予）、speculate（推测、猜想）、conjunction（结合、联合）、undo（消除、抵消）、bias（偏见、使有偏见），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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