There are many understandable reasons why you might find it difficult to ask for help when you need it. Psychologists have been interested in this 1 for decades, not least because people's widespread 2 to ask for help has led to some high-profile failures.
Asking for help takes 3 . It involves communicating a need on your part—there's something you can't do. 4 , you're broadcasting your own weaknesses, which can be 5 . You might worry about coming across as incompetent. You might have 6 about losing control of whatever it is you're asking for help with. 7 someone starts to help, perhaps they'll take over, or get credit for your earlier efforts. Yet another 8 that you might be worried about is being a nuisance or 9 the person you go to for help.
If you struggle with low self-esteem, you might find it especially difficult to 10 for help because you have the added worry of the other person 11 your request. You might see such refusals as implying something 12 about the status of your relationship with them. To 13 these difficulties, try to remind yourself that everyone needs help sometimes. Nobody knows everything and can do everything all by themselves. And while you might 14 coming across as incompetent, there's actually research that shows that advice-seekers are 15 as more competent, not less.
Perhaps most encouraging of all is a paper from 2022 by researchers at Stanford University that involved a mix of contrived help-seeking interactions and asking people to 16 times they'd sought help in the past. The findings showed that help-seekers generally underestimate how 17 other people will be to help and how good it'll make the help-giver feel (for most people, having the chance to help someone is highly 18 ).
So, bear all this in mind the next time you need to ask for help. 19 , take care over who you ask and when you ask them. And if someone can't help right now, avoid taking it personally. They might just be too 20 , or they might not feel confident about their ability to help.
1. [A] illusion [B] discussion [C] tradition [D] question
2. [A] reluctance [B] ambition [C] tendency [D] enthusiasm
3. [A] attention [B] talent [C] courage [D] patience
4. [A] At any time [B] In other words [C] By all means [D] On the contrary
5. [A] unrealistic [B] deceptive [C] tiresome [D] uncomfortable
6. [A] doubts [B] concerns [C] suggestions [D] secrets
7. [A] Once [B] Unless [C] Although [D] Before
8. [A] theory [B] choice [C] factor [D] context
9. [A] overpraising [B] outperforming [C] reassessing [D] inconveniencing
10. [A] reach out [B] settle down [C] turn over [D] look back
11. [A] declining [B] considering [C] criticising [D] evaluating
12. [A] unnecessary [B] negative [C] strange [D] impractical
13. [A] explain [B] identify [C] predict [D] overcome
14. [A] deny [B] forget [C] miss [D] fear
15. [A] disguised [B] perceived [C] followed [D] introduced
16. [A] recall [B] classify [C] analyse [D] compare
17. [A] brave [B] disappointed [C] willing [D] hesitant
18. [A] relaxing [B] surprising [C] rewarding [D] demanding
19. [A] Thus [B] Also [C] Finally [D] Instead
20. [A] polite [B] proud [C] busy [D] lazy
本篇完形文章是一篇研究人们难以开口寻求帮助的心理学现象的说明文,全文的主题(Focus)在首段中给出,如下:
There are many understandable reasons why you might find it difficult to ask for help when you need it.
之后的文章信息都是作为分述部分围绕着此主题所展开的。
本篇文章采用典型的总分对照式的文章结构。文章首段为全文的总述部分,负责概括出全文的主题。之后的段落为分述部分,围绕着全文主题展开详细描述,具体如下:
1. [A] illusion(幻觉) [B] discussion(讨论) [C] tradition(传统) [D] question(问题)
解题思路: 本题考查名词辨析。本名词位于句子的宾语中,前面是句子的谓语have been interested in(对……感兴趣),而主语则是Psychologists(心理学家)。同时本名词之前出现了代词this,这里的this指代的显然是本填空所在句前面的句子所阐述的信息,即段落首句There are many understandable reasons why you might find it difficult to ask for help when you need it,说明的是一个社会心理现象。考生再把握本填空所在句的主语Psychologists(心理学家),可以推断出前文描述的现象是Psychologists(心理学家)感兴趣的问题,四个选项中最合理的是选项[D] question(问题),因此本题答案为选项D。
2. [A] reluctance(不情愿) [B] ambition(雄心,抱负) [C] tendency(倾向) [D] enthusiasm(热忱,热情)
解题思路: 本题考查名词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。本名词处于从句的主语部分,其后有一个不定式结构修饰它,即people's widespread 2 to ask for help。考生把握这里的关键线索to ask for help,对比在本段首句中已经说明的信息you might find it difficult to ask for help,即“开口寻求帮助是困难的”,可得出本填空应与关键线索词difficult表达的意思和倾向一致。再将difficult与本题的四个选项逐一匹配,很容易确定答案,因为既然开口寻求帮助是困难的,备选项中只有选项[A] reluctance(不情愿)与difficult的倾向完全一致,因此本题答案为选项A。
3. [A] attention(注意) [B] talent(才能) [C] courage(勇气) [D] patience(耐心)
解题思路: 本题考查名词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。本名词是句子的宾语,谓语是takes,句子的主语是Asking for help。考生只要把握Asking for help已经多次出现而且就是全文的主题,根据之前已知的关键线索difficult(困难的)以及reluctance(不情愿),与四个选项逐一匹配,很容易就能定位本题答案为选项[C] courage(勇气),因为既然开口寻求帮助是困难的和不情愿的,那么这就是需要“勇气”的事,因此本题答案为选项C。
4. [A] At any time(随时) [B] In other words(也就是说) [C] By all means(当然,一定) [D] On the contrary(相反地)
解题思路: 本题考查上下文逻辑关系。考生通过把握本填空所在句子与之前句子之间存在何种逻辑关系来确定答案。本填空之前的句子信息为“开口寻求帮助意味着要传递你的需求——有些事情是你做不到的”,而本填空所在的句子信息则为you're broadcasting your own weaknesses(你在暴露自己的弱点),很明显前后句子之间的逻辑关系是解释说明,即本填空所在的句子信息是对之前句子信息的进一步说明,四个选择中唯一表达解释说明关系的是选项[B] In other words,因此本题答案为选项B。
5. [A] unrealistic(不现实的) [B] deceptive(欺骗性的) [C] tiresome(烦人的) [D] uncomfortable(不舒服的)
解题思路: 本题考查形容词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。本形容词处在一个定语从句中作表语,其主语则是前面主句所表达的信息,即you're broadcasting your own weaknesses(你在暴露自己的弱点)。考生把握此主语信息就可以推断出四个选项中最合理的是选项[D] uncomfortable(不舒服的),因此本题答案为选项D。
6. [A] doubts(怀疑) [B] concerns(担忧) [C] suggestions(建议) [D] secrets(秘密)
解题思路: 本题考查名词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。本名词是所在句子的宾语,之后出现了补充信息,即about losing control of whatever it is you're asking for help with。考生把握about引导的具体信息是“对你寻求帮助的事失去掌控”,就很容易判定四个选项中最合理的是选项[B] concerns(担忧),因为“对你寻求帮助的事失去掌控”显然是一种担忧,因此本题答案为选项B。
7. [A] Once(一旦) [B] Unless(除非) [C] Although(虽然) [D] Before(在……以前)
解题思路: 本题考查上下文逻辑关系。考生通过把握本填空所在句子与之后句子之间存在何种逻辑关系来确定答案。本填空所在的句子信息为someone starts to help(有人开始帮忙),之后的句子信息为perhaps they'll take over, or get credit for your earlier efforts(也许他们会接管,或者因为你之前的成果而获得赞誉)。考生对比分析这两个句子是明显的条件关系,即“一旦”或“如果”有人开始帮忙,在这个条件下就会发生之后的“也许他们会接管,或者因为你之前的成果而获得赞誉”的结果,四个选项中符合此逻辑关系的只有选项[A] Once(一旦),因此本题答案为选项A。
8. [A] theory(理论) [B] choice(选择) [C] factor(因素) [D] context(背景;语境)
解题思路: 本题考查名词辨析。本名词是句子的主语并被another(另一个)所修饰,且在之后出现了定语从句that you might be worried about(你可能会担心),考生综合上述线索对四个选项进行逐一分析,最合理的是选项[C] factor(因素),即除了上文所述担忧的因素外,还有另一个可能会担心的因素。其他三个选项[A] theory(理论)、[B] choice(选择)和[D] context(背景;语境)均不符合题意,因此本题答案为选项C。
9. [A] overpraising(过奖) [B] outperforming(超过,胜过) [C] reassessing(重新评价) [D] inconveniencing(给……造成不便,给……带来麻烦)
解题思路: 本题考查动词(分词)辨析且可以运用关联结构解题。本动词(分词)处于一个动宾结构中,其后的宾语为the person you go to for help,且最关键的是本动词(分词)出现在一个由or衔接的关联结构中,即being a nuisance or 9 the person you go to for help。考生把握or之前的已知线索nuisance(麻烦事;讨厌的人),则本动词(分词)一定是与nuisance(麻烦事;讨厌的人)有最大关联性的类似词汇,据此,四个选项中最合理的是选项[D] inconveniencing(给……造成不便,给……带来麻烦),因此本题答案为选项D。
10. [A] reach out(寻求) [B] settle down(定居;安顿) [C] turn over(翻转;移交) [D] look back(回顾;追忆)
解题思路: 本题考查动词(词组)辨析且可以运用复现结构解题。本动词(词组)的宾语为for help,而help此前已经在全文多次复现,之前出现时的信息均为ask for help,因此本动词(词组)肯定也是表达ask for help的意思。四个选项中与ask for help意思最接近的就是选项[A] reach out(寻求),即reach out for help,因此本题答案为选项A。
11. [A] declining(拒绝) [B] considering(考虑) [C] criticising(批评) [D] evaluating(评估)
解题思路: 本题考查动词(动名词)辨析且可以运用复现结构解题。本动词(动名词)的宾语是your request,主语是the other person。同时本填空所在句子之后的原文出现了You might see such refusals,这里的关键线索such refusals是指代信息,指代的只能是前一句,即本动词(动名词)所在的句子表达的信息。考生根据such refusals在四个选项中直接确定本题答案为选项[A] declining(拒绝),只有选项[A] declining(拒绝)的意思与such refusals是同义复现,因此本题答案为选项A。
12. [A] unnecessary(不必要的) [B] negative(负面的) [C] strange(奇怪的) [D] impractical(不切实际的)
解题思路: 本题考查形容词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。被本形容词修饰的成分是something,之后出现了about the status of your relationship with them,即“关于你与他们的关系状态”。而something之前的句子信息是You might see such refusals as implying(你可能会认为这种拒绝是在暗示),考生把握这里的关键线索such refusals,从而在四个选项中确定最合理的是选项[B] negative(负面的),因为只有选项[B] negative(负面的)与such refusals是倾向一致的,即“这种拒绝是对你们的关系状况的负面暗示”,因此本题答案为选项B。
13. [A] explain(解释) [B] identify(识别) [C] predict(预测) [D] overcome(克服)
解题思路: 本题考查动词辨析。本动词的宾语是these difficulties,这里的these指代的是之前阐述的一系列ask for help引起的困难,根据这个线索,在四个选项中很容易确定选项[D] overcome(克服),即“克服困难”。其他三个选项[A] explain(解释)、[B] identify(识别)和[C] predict(预测)表达的意思与本题题意无关,因此本题答案为选项D。
14. [A] deny(否认) [B] forget(忘记) [C] miss(想念) [D] fear(害怕)
解题思路: 本题考查动词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。本动词是句子的谓语,之后出现的信息是coming across as incompetent(给人留下无能的印象),考生把握这里的关键线索incompetent(无能的),在四个选项中可直接确定本题答案为选项[D] fear(害怕),因为“给人留下无能的印象”一定是你害怕的,只有选项[D] fear(害怕)表达的意思最为合理,因此本题答案为选项D。
15. [A] disguised(伪装) [B] perceived(认为) [C] followed(跟随) [D] introduced(介绍)
解题思路: 本题考查动词辨析。本动词以被动语态出现作从句中的谓语,主语是advice-seekers,之后的信息为as more competent, not less。考生再把握本动词所在句子与之前的句子,即you might fear coming across as incompetent(你可能会害怕给人留下无能的印象)之间是由逻辑关系词while引导的转折对比的关系,则本动词所在的句子所表达的意思一定是与“给人留下无能的印象”对立的,即“寻求建议者被认为更有能力”,据此本题最合理的答案应该是选项[B] perceived(认为),因此本题答案为选项B。
16. [A] recall(回忆) [B] classify(分类) [C] analyse(分析) [D] compare(比较)
解题思路: 本题考查动词辨析。本动词处于一个不定式中,之前出现了动名词信息asking people to,本动词的宾语是times they'd sought help in the past(他们过去寻求帮助的经历),综合这些线索在四个选项中逐一比对,最合理的是选项[A] recall(回忆)。因为原文信息阐述了这是一篇研究论文,论文中要求人们(即被试)对“他们过去寻求帮助的经历”做出一个动作,那么能做出的最合理的动作就是recall(回忆),即“回忆他们过去寻求帮助的经历”,因此本题答案为选项A。
17. [A] brave(勇敢的) [B] disappointed(失望的) [C] willing(乐意的) [D] hesitant(犹豫的)
解题思路: 本题考查形容词辨析且可以运用对应成分分析法解题。本形容词是句子的表语,其主语是other people,与作为表语的本形容词衔接的信息是不定式to help,本形容词就是用来定义other people如何to help的。同时本形容词所在的句子处于一个由标志词and连接的并列句中,如下:
考生很容易发现此处and连接的前后两个句子构成明显的对应关系,并且标志词and表明前后两句的信息倾向具有一致性,那么根据后句中的已知信息“good”推断出四个选项中最匹配的是选项[C] willing(乐意的),即“其他人乐意帮忙的程度”,因此本题答案为选项C。
18. [A] relaxing(放松的) [B] surprising(令人惊讶的) [C] rewarding(值得做的) [D] demanding(要求高的;费力的)
解题思路: 本题考查形容词辨析且可以运用同现结构解题。本形容词是句子的表语,其主语是having the chance to help someone(有机会帮助别人)。考生只要把握之前的原文已经阐述了how willing other people will be to help and how good it'll make the help-giver feel,根据已知的关键线索词willing和good就可以在四个选项中判定本题答案为选项[C] rewarding(值得做的),因为只有这个选项所表达的倾向与关键线索词willing和good是高度一致的,因此本题答案为选项C。
19. [A] Thus(因此) [B] Also(此外,也) [C] Finally(最后) [D] Instead(相反,反而)
解题思路: 本题考查上下文逻辑关系。考生通过分析之前的句子与本填空所在句子之间存在何种逻辑关系来确定答案。之前的句子信息为bear all this in mind the next time you need to ask for help(下次你需要寻求帮助时,请记住这一切),而本填空所在句子的信息为take care over who you ask and when you ask them(注意你寻求帮助的对象和时机)。这是在补充说明,添加新的相关信息,四个选项中能够表达这种并列关系的只有选项[B] Also(此外,也),因此本题答案为选项B。
20. [A] polite(有礼貌的) [B] proud(骄傲的) [C] busy(繁忙的) [D] lazy(懒惰的)
解题思路: 本题考查形容词辨析。本形容词是句子的表语,主语是They,而这里的代词They指代的是之前的句子And if someone can't help right now, avoid taking it personally中的someone。既然之前的句子阐述的是“如果有人没法立即帮忙,不要往心里去”,则本形容词就是对“有些人无法帮忙”的解释,四个选项中最合理的显然是选项[C] busy(繁忙的),即“无法帮忙的人可能是因为太忙了”,这是最客观的解释。选项[B] proud(骄傲的)和[D] lazy(懒惰的)所表达的意思则带有指责性,不是合理的理由,而选项[A] polite(有礼貌的)带入原文语义并不连贯,因此本题答案为选项C。
你可能会感到很难在需要帮助时开口求助,这背后有很多可以理解的原因。几十年来,心理学家们一直对这个问题感兴趣,特别是因为人们普遍不愿意开口求助导致了一些出名的失败案例。
寻求帮助需要勇气。它涉及传递你的需求——有些事情是你做不到的。换句话说,你在暴露自己的弱点,这可能会让你感到不舒服。你可能会担心给人留下无能的印象。你或许会担心对你寻求帮助的事失去掌控。一旦有人开始帮忙,也许他们就会全权接管,或者因为你之前的成果而获得赞誉。你还可能担心会被人讨厌或给你所求助的人带来不便。
如果你还在自卑中挣扎,你可能会发现开口寻求帮助格外困难,因为你还会额外担心对方会拒绝你的请求。你可能会认为,这样的拒绝是对你与他们关系状态的一种负面暗示。为了克服这些困难,试着提醒自己,每个人都有需要帮助的时候。没有人知道所有的事,也没有人能自己完成所有的事。并且,虽然你可能会担心给人留下无能的印象,但实际上有研究表明,寻求建议的人会被认为更有能力,而不是无能。
也许最振奋人心的是斯坦福大学的研究人员在2022年发表的一篇论文,论文内容不仅包括人为设计的求助互动场景,还包括让人们回忆过去寻求帮助的经历。研究结果表明,寻求帮助者通常低估了其他人愿意提供帮助的程度,以及帮助提供者的感觉有多好(对大多数人来说,有机会帮助别人是非常值得去做的)。
所以,下次你需要寻求帮助时,请记住这些。此外,要注意你寻求帮助的对象和时机。如果有人无法立即提供帮助,请不要往心里去。他们可能只是太忙了,或者他们可能对自己提供帮助的能力没有信心。