2019年江苏省高考英语试卷

2019年江苏省高考英语试卷

第一部分听力（共两节）做题时，先将答案标在试卷上.录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟

的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上.第一节（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）听

下面5段对话.每段对话后有一个小题,从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项.听

完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题.每段对话仅读一

遍.例：Howmuchistheshirt?A.£19・15・B.£9・18C.£9.15.答案是C.

1.（1分）Wheredoesthisconversationtakeplace?

A.Inaclassroom.

B.Inahospital.

C.Inamuseum.

2.（1分）WhatdoesJackwanttodo?

A.Takefitnessclasses.

B.Buyapairofgymshoes.

C.Changehisworkschedule.

3.（1分）Whatarethespeakerstalkingabout?

A.Whattodrink.

B.Wheretomeet.

C.Whentoleave.

4.（1分）Whatistherelationshipbetweenthespeakers?

A.Colleagues.

B.Classmates.

C.Strangers.

5.（1分）WhyisEmilymentionedintheconversation?

A.Shemightwantaticket.

B.Sheislookingfortheman.

C.Shehasanextraticket.

第二节（满分15分）听下面5段对话或独白.每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给

的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项.听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，

每小题5秒钟；听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间.每段对话或独白读两遍.

6.(2分)听材料，回答下列问题.

(1)HowlongdidJamesrunhisbusiness?

A.10years.

B.13years.

C.15years.

(2)HowdoesthewomanfeelaboutJames1situation?

A.Embarrassed.

B.Concerned.

C.Disappointed.

7.(3分)听材料，回答下列问题.

(1)WhathasKate*smotherdecidedtodo?

A.Returntoschool.

B.Changeherjob.

C・Retirefromwork.

(2)WhatdidKate'smotherstudyatcollege?

A.Oilpainting.

B.Arthistory.

C.Businessadministration.

(3)WhatisKate'sattitudetowardhermother'sdecision?

A.Disapproving.

B.Ambiguous.

C.Understanding.

8.(3分)听材料，回答下列问题.

(1)Whatisthemandoing?

A.Chairingameeting.

B.Hostingaradioprogram.

C.Conductingajobinterview.

(2)WhatbenefitsMarymostinherjob?

A.Herwidereading.

B・Herleaders*guidance.

C.Herfriends*help.

(3)WhowillMarytalkaboutnext?

A.Herteacher.

B.Herfather.

C.Hermother.

9.(4分)听材料，回答下列问题.

(1)Whydoesthemanseldomdoexercise?

A・Helacksmotivation.

B・Hehasaheartproblem.

C.Heworksallthetime.

(2)WhatdoesJacobSattelmairprobablydo?

A.He*sanathlete.

B.He'saresearcher.

C.He'sajournalist.

(3)Whydoesthewomanspeakofastudy?

A・Toencouragetheman.

B.Torecommendanexercise.

C・Tosupportherfindings.

(4)Howmuchtimewillthemanprobablyspendexercisingweekly?

A.300minutes.

B.150minutes.

C.75minutes.

10.(3分)听材料，回答下列问题.

(1)Whatdidthescientistsdototheroad?

A.Theyrepairedit.

B.Theypaintedit.

C.Theyblockedit.

(2)Whyareyoungbirdsdrawntotheroadsurface?

A.It'swarm.

B.Itsbrown.

C.Itssmooth.

（3）Whatisthepurposeofthescientists*experiment?

A.Tokeepthebirdsthereforawholeyear.

B.Tohelpstudentsstudythebirdswell.

C.Topreventthebirdsfrombeingkilled.

第二部分：英语知识运用（共两节，满分35分）第一节：单项填空（共15小题；每小

题1分，满分15分）请认真阅读下面各题，从题中所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出

最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑.例：Itisgenerallyconsideredunwisetogivea

childheorshewants.A.howeverB.whateverC.whicheverD.vvhenever答案是B.

11.（1分）Wehaveenteredintoanagedreamshavethebestchanceofcoming

true.（）

A.whichB.whatC.whenD.that

12.（1分）Themusicianalongwithhisbandmemberstenperformancesinthelastthree

months.（）

A.givesB.hasgivenC.havegivenD.give

13.（1分）Thedoctorshareshisphonenumberwiththepatientstheyneedmedical

assistance.（）

A.ifonlyB.asif

C.eventhoughD.incase

14.（1分）Morewindpowerstationswilltomeetthedemandforcleanenergy.（）

A.takeupB.clearupC.holdupD.springup

15.（1分）Scientistshaveobtainedmoreevidenceplasticisfindingitswayintothehuman

body.（）

A.whatB.thatC.whichD.where

16.（1分）Nowadaysthefortravellingisshiftedfromshoppingtofoodand

scenery.（）

A.priorityB.potentialC.proportionD.pension

17.（1分）Favorablepoliciesare_______toencourageemployees1professional

development.（）

A.ineffectB.incommandC.inturnD.inshape

18.(1分)Unliketraditionalgyms,app-backedgymsofferpeopleoptionsto

exercise.()

A.casualB.regularC.flexibleD.tight

19.(1分)AfewmonthsafterhehadarrivedinChina,Mr.Smithinlovewiththepeople

andculturethere.()

A.wouldfallB.hadfallenC.hasfallenD.fell

20.(1分)theconvenienceofdigitalpayment,manyseniorcitizensstartedtousesmart

phones.()

A.ToenjoyB.Enjoying

C.TohaveenjoyedD.Enjoy

21.(1分)Whatapity!Youmissedthesightseeingorweagoodtimetogether.()

A.hadB.willhave

C.wouldhavehadD.hadhad

22.(1分)China'simageisimprovingsteadily,withmorecountriesitsrolein

internationalaffairs.()

A.recognizingB.beingrecognized

C.toberecognizedD.recognized

23.(1分)Theyaretryingtomakesurethat5Gterminalsby2022fortheBeijingWinter

Olympics.()

A.willinstall

B,willhavebeeninstalled

C.areinstalled

D.havebeeninstalled

24.(1分)Acityistheproductofthehumanhandandmind,man'sintelligenceand

creativity.()

A.resemblingB.reflectingC.reviewingD.restoring

25.(1分)-Let'stakeacoffeebreak.

-We'vebeenworkingforhours.()

A.Whybother?B.Whatfor?

C・Yougotmethere.D.Yousaidit

第二节：完形填空(满分20分)请认真阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D

四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑.

26.(20分)Wildlifehasbeengreatlythreatenedinthemodernage.Therearespecies(物种)

thatare(1)everyday.Thewhite-napedcraneisatypicalexample.Soscientists

aretryingtheirbestto(2)thespeciesfromgoingoutofexistence.

ChrisandTimworkatazoo,helpingendangeredcraneswiththeir

(3).Emma,afemalecrane,hasbeenintheir(4)sinceshearrivedin

2004.

Bornataninternationalcranefoundation,Emmawas(5)byhuman

caretakers.Thisledtoanunexpected(6),thoughshehadawonderfultime

there.Emmahad(7)takenherselfasacraneandbecomedeeplyattachedto

humans.She(8)tolivewithmalecranes,andevenhada(9)forkilling

someofthem,whichmadeit(10)forhertobecomeamother.

(11),thetwozookeepersdidn'twanttoseetheextinction(灭绝)ofthis

preciousspecies.Withtheirpatienceandefforts,theysuccessfullydevelopeda(12)

ofartificialbreeding(人工繁殖)andnaturalreproduction.This(13)Emmatogive

birthtofivebabycranes.

Thetwokeepersareproudoftheirproductivework.Butbeforetheycanbe

(14),moreeffortsmustbemade,becausethepopulationofthecraneinthewild

isonthe(15),andmanyotherspeciesappearheadedtoward

extinction.(16),noteveryonehasrealizedthatwildlifehasthoughts,feelings,and

mostimportantly,equalrightstosurvive.

Howcanwe(17)theever-wideninggapthatseparatesusfromother

animals?ChrisandTimofferedusthe(18)：humanbeingstookitforgrantedthat

their(19)heldallthesolutions,butmaybetheirheartscanbeabetter(20).

(DA.growingB.migratingC.competingD.disappearing

(2)A.banB.saveC.splitD.remove

(3)A.abortionB.recreationC.reproductionD.administration

(4)A.careB.eyeC.mindD.story

(5)A.foundB.chosenC.raisedD.seized

(6)A.bonusB.consequenceC.victoryD.sacrifice

(7)A.neverB.alwaysC.unluckilyD.cheerfully

(8)A.likedB.refusedC.decidedD.hesitated

(9)A.giftB.skillC.concernD.reputation

(10)A.illegalB.inspiringC.importantD.impossible

(11)A.ThereforeB.MoreoverC.HoweverD.Instead

(12)A.combinationB.collectionC.strategyD.system

(13)A.forcedB.forbadeC.taughtD.enabled

(14)A.defeatedB•gratefulC.assuredD.tolerant

(15)A.listB.riseC.agendaD.decline

(16)A.IncontrastB.AfterallC.BythewayD.Onthecontrary

(17)A.leaveB.bridgeC.openD.identify

(18)A.courseB.excuseC.answerD.reward

(19)A.brainsB.behaviorsC.servicesD.projects

(20)A.guideB•treatC.exampleD.companion

第三部分：阅读理解（满分30分）请认真阅读下列短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、

D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑.

27.（4分）

Whateveryourageorinterests,Buxtonhassomethingtoseeordotomakeyourvisittruly

memorable.

Highenergy

Ifyoudesirephysicalactivities,youcanchooseactivitiesfromswimmingtohorse

riding.ExploretheheightswithGoApe,thehighwireforestadventurecourse,orjourney

beneaththeearthatPoole'sCavern.Anddon'tforget：wearesurroundedbyanatural

playgroundjustperfectforwalking,caving,climbingandcycling.

Highminded

Buxtonisjustifiablyproudofitsculturallifeandyoullfindmuchtosuitalltasteswith

art,music,operaandtheperformingartsatBuxtonOperaHouse&PavilionArtsCentreand

GreenManGallery.Thereareplentyofopportunitiesforthecreativepersontobecome

involved,includingworkshopsandevents.

Keepingthekidshappy

ChildrenlovethesmalltrainandplaygroundsinthePavilionGardensandthere'splenty

moretoexploreattheBuxtonMuseum.There*sanewindoorplaycentre,plusthespecial

eventsandworkshops,andothersduringschoolholidayperiods.

(1)Ifyouwanttotakeanundergroundjourney,whichplaceisthebestchoice?

A.Poole'sCavern.

B.PavilionGardens.

C.BuxtonMuseum.

D.GreenManGallery.

(2)BuxtonOperaHouse&PavilionArtsCentreisspecialbecauseitoffers.

A.ridesinsmalltrains

B.coursesinmodemarts

C.artisticandculturalactivities

D.basiccoursesinhorseriding

28.（6分）Inthe1960s,whilestudyingthevolcanichistoryofYellowstoneNationalPark,Bob

Christiansenbecamepuzzledaboutsomethingthat,oddly,hadnottroubledanyonebefore：

hecouldn'lfindthepark*svolcano.IthadbeenknownforalongtimethatYellowstonewas

volcanicinnature-thafswhataccountedforallitshotspringsandothersteamyfeatures.But

Christiansencouldn'tfindtheYellowstonevolcanoanywhere.

Mostofus,whenwetalkaboutvolcanoes,thinkoftheclassiccone（圆锥体）shapesof

aFujiorKilimanjaro,whicharecreatedwheneruptingmagma（岩浆）pilesup.Thesecan

formremarkablyquickly.In1943,aMexicanfarmerwassurprisedtoseesmokerisingfroma

smallpartofhisland.Inoneweekhewastheconfusedownerofaconefivehundredfeet

high.Withintwoyearsithadtoppedoutatalmostfourteenhundredfeetandwasmorethan

halfamileacross.AltogethertherearesometenthousandofthesevolcanoesonEarth,allbut

afewhundredofthemextinct.Thereis,however,asecondlessknowntypeofvolcanothat

doesn'tinvolvemountainbuilding.Thesearevolcanoessoexplosivethattheyburstopenina

singlebigcrack,leavingbehindavasthole,thecaldera.Yellowstoneobviouslywasofthis

secondtype,butChristiansencouldn'tfindthecalderaanywhere.

JustatthistimeNASAdecidedtotestsomenewhigh-altitudecamerasbytaking

photographsofYellowstone.Athoughtfulofficialpassedonsomeofthecopiestothepark

authoritiesontheassumptionthattheymightmakeaniceblow-upforoneofthevisitors*

centers.AssoonasChristiansensawthephotos,herealizedwhyhehadfailedtospotthe

caldera：almostthewholepark-22millionacres-wascaldera.Theexplosionhadleftahole

morethanfortymilesacross-muchtoohugetobeseenfromanywhereatgroundlevel.At

sometimeinthepastYellowstonemusthaveblownupwithaviolencefarbeyondthescaleof

anythingknowntohumans.

(1)WhatpuzzledChristiansenwhenhewasstudyingYellowstone?

A.Itscomplicatedgeographicalfeatures.

B.Itsever-lastinginfluenceontourism.

C.Themysterioushistoryofthepark.

D.Theexactlocationofthevolcano.

(2)Whatdoesthesecondparagraphmainlytalkabout?

A.Theshapesofvolcanoes.

B.Theimpactsofvolcanoes.

C.Theactivitiesofvolcanoes.

D.Theheightsofvolcanoes.

(3)Whatdoestheunderlinedword"blow-upMinthelastparagraphmostprobablymean?_

A.Hot-airballoon.

B.Digitalcamera.

C.Bigphotograph.

D.Bird*sview.

29.(8分)Whocaresifpeoplethinkwronglythattheinternethashadmoreimportantinfluences

thanthewashingmachine?Whydoesitmatterthatpeoplearemoreimpressedbythemost

recentchanges?

Itwouldnotmatterifthesemisjudgmentswerejustamatterofpeople'sopinions,

However,theyhaverealimpacts,astheyresultinmisguideduseofscarceresources.

ThefascinationwiththeICT(InformationandCommunicationTechnology)revolution,

representedbytheinternet,hasmadesomerichcountieswronglyconcludethatmaking

thingsissouyesterdayMthattheyshouldtrytoliveonideas.Thisbeliefin"post-industrial

society"hasledthosecountriestoneglecttheirmanufacturingsector(制造业)，with

negativeconsequencesfortheireconomies.

Evenmoreworryingly,thefascinationwiththeinternetbypeopleinrichcountrieshas

movedtheinternationalcommunitytoworryaboutthe"digitaldivide'*betweentherich

countriesandthepoorcountries.Thishasledcompaniesandindividualstodonatemoneyto

developingcountriestobuycomputerequipmentandinternetfacilities.Thequestion,

however,iswhetherthisiswhatthedevelopingcountriesneedthemost.Perhapsgiving

moneyforthoselessfashionablethingssuchasdiggingwells,extendingelectricitynetworks

andmakingmoreaffordablewashingmachineswouldhaveimprovedpeople'slivesmorethan

givingeverychildalaptopcomputerorsettingupinternetcentresinruralvillages.Iamnot

sayingthatthosethingsarenecessarilymoreimportant,butmanydonatorshaverushedinto

fancyprogrammeswithoutcarefullyassessingtherelativelong-termcostsandbenefitsof

alternativeusesoftheirmoney.

Inyetanotherexample,afascinationwiththenewhasledpeopletobelievethatthe

recentchangesinthetechnologiesofcommunicationsandtransportationaresorevolutionary

thatnowweliveinanborderlessworld".Asaresult,inthelasttwentyyearsorso,many

peoplehavecometobelievethatwhateverchangeishappeningtodayistheresultofgreat

technologicalprogress,goingagainstwhichwillbeliketryingtoturntheclock

back.Believinginsuchaworld,manygovernmentshaveputanendtosomeofthevery

necessaryregulationsoncross-borderflowsofcapital,labourandgoods,withpoor

results.

Understandingtechnologicaltrendsinveryimportantforcorrectlydesigningeconomic

policies,bothatthenationalandtheinternationallevels,andformakingtherightcareer

choicesattheindividuallevel.However,ourfascinationwiththelatest,andourunder

-valuationofwhathasalreadybecomecommon,can,andhas,ledusinallsortsofwrong

directions.

(1)Misjudgmentsontheinfluencesofnewtechnologycanleadto.

A.alackofconfidenceintechnology

B,aslowprogressintechnology

C.aconflictofpublicopinions

D.awasteoflimitedresources

(2)TheexampleinParagraph4suggeststhatdonatorsshould・

A.takepeople'sessentialneedsintoaccount

B・maketheirprogrammesattractivetopeople

C.ensurethateachchildgetsfinancialsupport

D.providemoreaffordableinternetfacilities

(3)Whathasledmanygovernmentstoremovenecessaryregulations?

A.Neglectingtheimpactsoftechnologicaladvances.

B.Believingthattheworldhasbecomeborderless.

C.Ignoringthepowerofeconomicdevelopment.

D.Over-emphasizingtheroleofinternationalcommunication.

(4)Whatcanwelearnfromthepassage?

A.Peopleshouldbeencouragedtomakemoredonations.

B.Traditionaltechnologystillhasaplacenowadays.

C.Makingrightcareerchoicesiscrucialtopersonalsuccess.

D.Economicpoliciesshouldfollowtechnologicaltrends.

30.(12分)The65-year-oldSteveGoodwinwasfoundsufferingfromearlyAlzheimefs(阿

尔兹海默症)，Hewaslosinghismemory.

Asoftwareengineerbyprofession,Stevewasakeenloverofthepiano,andtheonly

musicianinhisfamily.Musicwashistruepassion,thoughbehadneverperformedoutside

thefamily.

Melissa,hisdaughter,feltitmorethanworthwhiletosavehismusic,towhichshefell

asleepeachnightwhenshewasyoung.Shethoughtabouthiringaprofessionalpianistto

workwithherfather.

Naomi,Melissa'sbestfriendandatalentedpianist,gottoknowaboutthisandshowed

willingnesstohelp.

"Whydothis?uStevewondered.

''Becauseshecares."Melissasaid.

Stevenodded,tearineye.

NaomidrovetotheGoodwinhomeshetoldSteveshe'dlovetohearhimplay.Steve

movedtothepianoandsatatthebench,handstremblingashegentlyplacedhisfingerson

thekeys.

Naomiputasmallrecordernearthepiano.Startsandstopsandmistakes.Longpauses,

heartsinking.ButStevepressedon,playingforthefirsttimeinhislifeforastranger.

nItwasbeautiful,"Naomisaidafterlisteningtotherecording."Themusicwasworth

saving.”

Herresponsibility,herprivilege,wouldbetorescueit.ThemusicwasstillinSteve

Goodwin.Itwasbiddeninroomswithdoorsabouttobelocked.

NaomiandStevemeteveryotherweekandspenthourstogether.Herdmovehisfingers

clumsilyonthepiano,andthenshe'dtakehisplace.Hestruggledtoexplainwhatheheard

inhishead.Hestoodbythepiano,eyesclosed,listeningforthefirsttimetohisownwork

beingplayedbysomeoneelse.

SteveandNaomispokeinmusicalcode：lines,beats,intervals,movingfromtheroot

toendasonginanewkey.Steveheardit.Allofit.Hejustcouldn'tplayit.

WorkingwithNaomididwondersforSteve.Ithadexcitedwithinhimthebeliefhecould

writeonelastsong.Oneday,Naomireceivedanemail.Attachedwasarecording,a

recordingoflossandlove,ofthefight.StevecalleditMMelancholyFlower.”

Naomiheardmultiplestopsandstarts,Stevestruggling,searchingwhilehiswifeJoni

calledhim"honeyHandencouragedhim.Thetaskwassohard,andSteve,angryandupset,

saidhewasquitting.Jonipraisedhim,tellingherhusbandthiscouldbehissignaturepiece.

Naomimanagedtofigureout16ofSteve'sfavorite,andmostpersonal,songs.With

Naomi'shelp,theGoodwinfamilyfoundasoundengineertorecordNaomiplayingSteve*s

gongs.Jonithoughtthatwouldbetheend.Butitwasn't.

Inthemonthsleadinguptothe2016OregonRepertorySingersChristmasconcert,

Naomitoldthedirectorshehadaspecialoneinmind：''MelancholyFlower.”

ShetoldthedirectoraboutherprojectwithSteve.Thedirectoragreedtoaddittothe

playinglist.ButNaomiwouldhavetoaskSteve'spermission.Heconsidereditanhonor.

Aftertheconcert,NaomitoldthefamilythatSteve'smusicwasbeautifuland

professional.Itneededtobesharedinpublic.

ThefamilyrentedaformerchurchindowntownPortlandandscheduledaconcert.By

thedayoftheshow,morethan300peoplehadsaidtheywouldattend.

Bythen,Stevewashavingahardtimerememberingthenamesofsomeofhis

friends.Heknewthepathhislifewasnowtaking.Hetoldhisfamilyhewasatpeace.

Stevearrivedandsatinthefrontrow,surroundedbyhisfamily.Thehouselights

faded.Naomitookthestage.Herfingers.Hisheart.

(1)WhydidMelissawanttosaveherfather'smusic?

A.Hismusiccouldstophisdiseasefromworsening.

B.Shewantedtopleaseherdyingoldfather.

C.Hismusicdeservedtobepreservedinthefamily.

D.Shewantedtomakeherfatheraprofessional.

(2)AfterhearingSteve'splaying,Naomi.

A.refusedtomakeacommentonit

B.wasdeeplyimpressedbyhismusic

C.decidedtofreeStevefromsuffering

D.regrettedofferinghelptoherfriend

(3)HowcantheprocessofSteve'srecordingbedescribed?

A.Itwasslowbutproductive.

B.Itwasbeneficialtohishealth.

C.ItwastiresomeforNaomi.

D.ItwasvitalforNaomi'scareer.

(4)BeforeStevefinished"MelancholyFlower,"hiswifeJoni.

A.thoughtthemusictalentofStevewasexhausted

B.didn'texpectthedamagethediseasebroughtabout

C.didn'tfullyrealizethevalueofherhusband'smusic

D.broughtherhusband'smusiccareertoperfection

（5）HowdidStevefeelattheconcertheldindowntownPortland?

A.Hefeltconcernedabouthisillness.

B.Hesensedaresponsibilityformusic.

C.Heregainedhisfaithinmusic.

D.Hegotintoastateofquiet.

（6）Whatcanbeasuitabletitleforthepassage?

A.TheKindnessofFriends

B.ThePowerofMusic

C.TheMakingofaMusician

D.TheValueofDetermination

第四部分：任务型阅读（满分10分）请认真阅读下面短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格

中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词.请将答案写在答题卡上相应题号的横线上.每个空格

只填一个单词.

31.（10分）

TheCostofThinking

Despitetheirmanydifferences,allhumanbeingsshareseveraldefiningcharacteristics,

suchaslargebrainsandtheabilitytowalkuprightontwolegs.

Thefirstuniquehumancharacteristicisthathumanshaveextraordinarilylargebrains

comparedwithotheranimals.Itseemsobviousthatevolutionshouldselectforlarger

brains.Mammals（哺乳动物）weighingsixtykilogramshaveanaveragebrainsizeof200

aq

cnr.Modernmanhasabrainaveraging1200-1400cm.Wearesofondofourhigh

intelligencethatweassumethatwhenitcomestobrainpower,moremustbe

better.Unfortunately,thatisnotthecase.

Thefactisthatahugebrainisahugedrain-consumptionofenergy-onthebody.It's

noteasytocarryaround,especiallywhenboxedinsideamassiveskull（颅骨）.It'seven

hardertoprovideenergy.Inmodernman,thebrainaccountsforabout2-3%oftotalbody

weight,butitconsumes25%ofthebody'senergywhenthebodyisatrest.Bycomparison,

thebrainsofapes（类人猿）requireonly8%ofrest-timeenergy.Earlyhumanspaidfor

theirlargebrainsintwoways.Firstly,theyspentmoretimeinsearchoffood.Secondly,

theirmusclesgrewsmallerandweaker.It'shardlyanobviousconclusionthatthisisagood

waytosurvive.Achimpanzee(黑猩猩)can'twinanargumentwithamodernman,butitcan

tearthemanapartlikearagdoll.

Anotheruniquehumancharacteristicisthatwewalkupright.Standingup,it*seasierto

findfoodorenemies.Inaddition,theirarmsthatareunnecessaryformovingaroundarefreed

forotherpurposes,likethrowingstonesorsignaling.Asaresult,humanscanperformvery

complextaskswiththeirhands.

Yetwalkinguprighthasitsdisadvantage.Thebonestructureofourancestorsdeveloped

formillionsofyearstosupportacreaturethatwalkedonallfoursandhadarelativelysmall

head.Adjustingtoanuprightpositionwasquiteachallenge,especiallywhentheboneshadto

supportanextra-largeskull.Humankindpaidforitsbroadvisionandskillfulhandswith

backachesandpainfulnecks.

Weassumethatalargebrainmakeshugeadvantages.Itseemsobviousthatthesehave

madehumankindthemostpowerfulanimalonearth.Buthumansenjoyedallofthese

advantagesforafull2millionyearsduringwhichtheyremainedweakandmarginal

creatures.Thushumanswholivedamillionyearsago,despitetheirbigbrainsandsharp

stonetools,livedinconstantfearofmeat-eatinganimals.

TheCostofThinking

Introduction•Large

brainsfor

theirbodies

andthe

abilityto

walkupright

aretwo(1)

ofhuman

beings.

The(2)oflargehumanbrains•Thelarger

brainsmay

notbebetter