閱讀理解。
You hear a rumor (謠言) from a friend, who heard it from another friend, who read it on a note passed
in math class, which was written by somebody who probably just made it up. Chances are, rumors are always
spreading around your school. Sometimes it can be very hurtful. But why do people still do so?
When people are feeling bad about themselves, they sometimes think they'll feel better if there were someone
worse off than they are. It's okay being near the bottom, as long as they're not actually on the bottom. The
easiest way for them to make sure someone else is on the bottom is to make up a rumor that puts him or her
there.
If everybody else is spreading rumors, you might feel you have to do the same thing in order to fit in.
Unfortunately, the person who the gossip or rumor is about is usually left out of the group for the same reason
that you're let into it.
When you know a secret that nobody knows, or are the first person in your group to hear a rumor, it can
make you the center of attention. A rumor or piece of gossip is sometimes like money; telling it to people is like
buying their attention.
Certain people always want to be at the top of the ladder (梯子). You probably know at least one person
who wishes to be the leader, say what goes, and make all the decisions. One way they do this is by reducing
(降低) the status (地位) of another person. Spreading rumors and gossip is one way people reduce another
person's status.
Sometimes, a period when everyone is happy and getting along just seems kind of dull. Spreading rumors
might get two people to start a fight, and that would make life a little more exciting. All those newspapers and
TV shows full of gossip about famous people are proving that rumors are a popular form of entertainment.
1. We know from Paragraph 2 that some people spread rumors to _____.
A. be more confident
B. feel like part of a group
C. attract attention
D. be more powerful
2. The underlined sentence in Paragraph 5 may mean some people _____.
A. love looking down from a high position
B. hope to become leaders
C. are not afraid of falling down
D. are fond of spreading rumors
3. What do we know from the last paragraph?
A. Famous people like spreading rumors.
B. Rumors can make people feel bored.
C. Some people seek excitement from rumors.
D. There are many rumors in newspapers.
