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2022 מועד חורף - 49 - פרק שני- אנגלית
Text II (Questions 18-22)
(1) Thomas Talhelm, today an associate professor of behavioral science at the
University of Chicago, studies how culture affects human behavior. While living in
China from 2007 to 2012, Talhelm became aware of differences in the traits and
behaviors of people from different regions. He soon realized something that the
(5) Chinese themselves had long known: China's largest river, the Yangtze, serves not only
as a geographical barrier, but also as a cultural divide. People who live south of the
river are thought to be more cooperative and community oriented, while people who
live north of the river are perceived as being more assertive and self-sufficient.
Talhelm posited that these particular characteristics could be traced to the primary
(10) agricultural crop grown in each region. Rice – southern China's staple crop – is grown
in flooded fields called paddies. Neighboring farmers must flood, and later drain, their
paddies at the same time to avoid causing significant damage to one another's fields.
Lack of cooperation endangers everyone's livelihood. In contrast, the main crop in
northern China is wheat. Wheat farming does not generally require much collaboration.
(15) One family can plant, tend, and harvest a field of wheat without the help of others.
Talhelm and his colleagues conducted a study to test the validity of his proposition,
later referred to as "rice theory". They administered a series of psychological tests to
1,162 university students, some from cities north of the Yangtze River and some from
cities south of the river. The tests measured personal qualities such as individualism
(20) and loyalty. The study, published in 2014, found that rice farming fosters
interdependence, whereas wheat farming fosters independence. Interestingly, these
characteristics were evident even when the students were not from families that
currently farm rice or wheat. The study concluded that it is the multi-generational
heritage of rice or wheat farming rather than one's current experience that shapes
(25) behavior and mindset. As Talhelm notes, "Cultures that farm rice or wheat over
thousands of years pass on rice or wheat cultures, even after most people put down their
plows."
Questions
18. The main purpose of the text is to -
(1) present Talhelm's rice theory
(2) describe a study on individualism in China
(3) discuss the Yangtze River's influence on agricultural practices
(4) present geographical characteristics north and south of the Yangtze River
)© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר
. בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה- כולה או חלקים ממנה- או ללמדה,אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי
