According to new research，there could be a social hierarchy（等级）attached to where people stand in the lift．More senior men stand at the back，young men in the middle and women of all ages at the front．
Most people know that awkward feeling when you shuffle（拖着鞋走）into an elevator with other people and try not to make eye contact．
But new research suggests it may be down to a subconscious power struggle being played out as you make your way up or down．
A study found that people decide where they stand based on a micro social hierarchy，established within seconds of entering the lift．
Rebekah Rousi，a Ph．D．student in cognitive science，conducted all ethnographic study of elevator behaviour in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide，Australia．
As part of her research，she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings，and discovered there was an established order to where people tended to stand．
In a blog for Ethnography Matters，she writes that more senior men seemed to direct themselves towards the back of the elevator cabins．
She said，“In front of them were younger men，and in front of them were women of all ages．”
She also noticed there was a difference in where people directed their gaze half way through the ride．
Men watched the monitors，looked in the side mirrors（in one building）to see themselves，and in the door mirrors（of the other building）to also watch others．
Women would watch the monitors and avoid eye contact with other users（unless in conversation）and the mirrors，she writes．
The doctorate student concluded it could be that people who are shyer stand toward the front，where they can’t see other passengers，whereas bolder people stand in the back，where they have a view of everyone else．
【小题1】According to the passage，where do women likes to stand in the lift?A．At the back．B．At the front．C．In the middle．D．On the right．【小题2】What causes people to feel unfortable when entering the an elevator?A．The manner people went into the lift．B．The limited space in the lift．C．The subconscious power struggle.D．The micro social hierarchy．【小题3】Why did Rebekah Rousi take 30 lift rides in buildings in Adelaide，Australia?A．To enjoy the tallest office building．B．To make a study of elevator behavior．C．To go to work there．D．To experience the ride by elevator．【小题4】Which of following best summarizes the main idea of the passage?A．Women are more attentive than men in the lift．B．Both women and men like to watch the monitors in the lift．C．The shyer you are，the more likely you are to stand at the back in the lift．D．Why where you stand in the lift reflects your social status．B
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(答案→)B
解析：
电梯里会自动形成一个微型等级环境。年纪大的人会靠后站，这样他们能看到电梯里的每一个人；青年男子会站在电梯间的中间，而女性则站在靠电梯门的地方。
【小题1】细节题。由第一段More senior men stand at the back，young men in the middle and women of all ages at the front 一句可知，女性会站在电梯靠门的地方。选择B项。
【小题2】细节题。由第三段But new research suggests it （the awkward feeling）may be down to a subconscious power struggle…一句可知， 走进电梯间时窘迫的感觉来自潜意识中的“权力斗争”。be down to sth.：本文意为：最终归结为。故C项正确。
【小题3】细节题。由第五段Rebekah Rousi … conducted all ethnographic study of elevator behaviour in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide，Australia 一句可知，她在两栋高楼电梯里观察人们的行为。故选B项。
【小题4】主旨大意题。A项文中无依据；B,C项只是文章的细节性事实。本文描述了电梯里的等级现象并阐述了原因：靠后站是因为胆大或心理强势，考前站是因为腼腆或心理弱势。故D项正确。