Animals seem to have the sense to eat when they are hungry and they do not eat more than their bodies need. It has been shown that rats will, when given a choice over a period of time, prefer water with vitamins(维生素) to water without vitamins even though there is no difference in taste or smell between the two water bottles. When a fragrant flavor was added to the vitamins-enriched water, the rats did seem to develop it and kept drinking it, even after the vitamins were switched to the clear water. In time, however, they broke the habit and went back to where the necessary vitamins were.
In a classic experiment, babies of 6 to 12 months old were placed in a cafeteria feeding arrangement, with a wide selection of baby food before them. They were given whatever food they pointed to or appeared interested in. We are told that at first they showed some unusual eating patterns, but over a period of time they managed to select well-balanced diet.
So, in choosing food, rats and babies do seem to know and act on what’s best for them. Apparently, there is a kind of “body wisdom”, which humans soon lose. Most of us do not eat as wisely as we could. Many of our food preferences are culturally determined and influenced by long-formed habits. Some people eat foxes, dogs and blackbirds, while we eat cows and pigs. So what people eat and how much they eat seems to be greatly influenced by what is going on around them.
13. In the experiment on rats, a fragrant flavor was added to the rats’ drinking water to _________.
A. test whether rats know which drink is good for them
B. encourage rats to drink vitamins-enriched water
C. find out rats’ preference in flavor
D. demonstrate the vitamins are tasteless
14. According to the passage, adults eating habits differ from those of babies because _________.
A. adults know better than babies what kind of food are good for their health
B. adults’ eating habits are closely related to the social and cultural customs
C. adults have more choices of food than babies in eating patterns
D. adults usually cannot resist the temptation of various delicious foods
15. As far as their eating habits are concerned, babies and rats are similar in that ________.
A. both prefer flavored food and drink
B. both have the same eating patterns
C. both have the wisdom to choose a balanced diet
D. both develop a taste for the same kinds of flavors
ABC
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