D

Be honest, when was the last time you cried? If you’re one of those who say they never cry, the statistics are against you. Women reportedly cry 64 times a year on average, while men shed（流）tears about 17 times. Everyone from professional athletes such as Michael Jordan to politicians like Barack Obama has been caught crying at least once. But why do we cry?

Some psychologists believe crying is our body’s response when we’re helpless. Even if we’re surprised by happy news, we may still cry. Other psychologists say that when we cry, we’re trying to get others to help us out when we’re surprised, sad, angry, scared, or in danger.

Therapist（临床专家）Judith Kay Nelson says that our experience with crying as babies may determine how we view crying when we’re older. Some parents are quick to try and calm their kids down whenever they start crying. Those children will likely find crying in their adult years brings a similar comfort. On the other hand, those whose parents became angered by their crying probably won’t feel crying has the same calming effect.

Many people believe crying can actually make a person feel better. But according to studies, whether it makes us feel better or not depends on the reactions of others. If others react positively, we’ll feel better. On the contrary, we’ll feel worse.

People’s reactions to crying have a lot to do with the gender（性别）of the person weeping. In the West, it’s generally acceptable for women to be seen crying. In Britain boys are taught not to cry. Even though people are becoming more enlightened about tears, crying in males is still viewed as a sign of weakness. Philip Hodson, an expert on male emotions, has a different viewpoint. “In truth, crying isn’t weakness; it’s a relaxation system,” he says. “If we don’t use this system, we’re not being very intelligent.” After all, everybody cries.

(1) What can be learned about the act of crying from the statistics?
A. Everyone, regardless of sex, cries. B. Some people never cry. C. Women often cry for no reason at all. D. Men actually cry more than women.
(2) Which is the opinion of therapist Judith Kay Nelson?
A. The act of crying has a calming effect on all of us. B. Parents shouldn’t rush to calm their baby when it cries. C. The way we view crying is shaped by our childhood experience. D. Parents’ responses to a crying baby will determine its personality type.
(3) What is said about crying making a person feel better?
A. It is completely false. B. It is dependent on a person’s age. C. It is true only for men. D. It is influenced by others’ responses.
(4) What can we infer about Western cultures from the last paragraph?
A. Only intelligent people can relax by crying. B. Crying is still less socially acceptable for males than females. C. Males are now encouraged to express their emotions through crying. D. British people consider it unhealthy to keep feelings bottled up inside.