# Behavioural economics and energy consumption - 科目：雅思听力真题（Part 4） - 考频：中频 - 最近考试：2026.5.23 - 题目数：10 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/223e0cd7-1c2c-4081-b376-acc8f9ae5847（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面） - 数据更新：2026-10-29 ## 题目原文 00:00:00,080 You will hear a lecture about behavioral economics and energy use. First, you have some time to look at questions thirty-one to forty. 00:00:11,140 Now listen carefully and answer questions thirty-one to forty. 00:00:17,920 Good morning, everyone. Today, we're looking at how behavioral economics can help explain the way people use energy at home. This is useful because many governments and energy companies want households to reduce consumption, but simply giving people information does not always work. Traditional economists often imagine consumers as careful decision-makers. In this view, people compare costs and benefits, think through the available evidence, and choose rationally, as if every decision were based on logic. Behavioral economics takes a different view. It suggests that many everyday choices are made quickly and almost automatically. Instead of analyzing every detail, people are often guided by habit, emotion, or instinct. A simple example comes from a savings program. Participants were attracted by the chance of winning a prize, even though the mathematical probability was very low. What mattered to them was the possibility of gaining something, not the actual likelihood of success. 00:01:32,880 Now let's turn to an energy project involving household customers. Researchers expected that giving people advice would make them use less energy, but in some cases, the figures moved in the opposite direction and showed an increase. This was surprising because the scheme had been designed to reduce consumption. The customers were divided into four groups. Each group received a different message about why they should cut down on energy use. One message focused on saving money. Another emphasized environmental protection. A third said that using less energy would help people living nearby, especially their neighbors. The final group was told that many other households in the local area were already using less energy. Only this group actually changed its behavior. So what can be done to encourage change? One lesson is that facts alone are often not enough. People may respond better when there is some form of reward, even a small one, such as a discount or positive feedback. 00:02:47,420 Another useful tool is technology. Smart meters, phone apps, and reminders can make energy use easier to notice. It is also important to remember that progress does not always require major action. Small changes in routine can still produce useful results, such as reducing heating or switching off unused lights. There is also a role for the government, especially in funding schemes that help households improve energy efficiency. For example, a family may use much less energy if an old heating system is replaced with a modern boiler. 00:03:30,240 That is the end of part four. ## 题目与答案 ### 31. Behavioural economics and energy consumption Introduction ·Behavioural economics studies human behaviour to influence the decisions people make. ·Traditional economics assumes that people act 31_____ and make their own decisions. Behavioural economics and energy consumption Introduction ·Behavioural economics studies human behaviour to influence the decisions people make. ·Traditional economics assumes that people act 31_____ and make their own decisions. **答案**：rationally 原文定位：In this view, people compare costs and benefits, think through the available evidence, and choose rationally, as if every decision were based on logic 同义替换：「choose」↔「act」 ### 32. ·Behavioural economics recognises the human tendency to rely on 32_____ . ·Behavioural economics recognises the human tendency to rely on 32_____ . **答案**：habit 原文定位：Instead of analyzing every detail, people are often guided by habit, emotion, or instinct 同义替换：「rely on」↔「guided by」 ### 33. · As shown by a savings scheme, people value the possibility of gain more than the 33_____ of success. · As shown by a savings scheme, people value the possibility of gain more than the 33_____ of success. **答案**：likelihood 原文定位：What mattered to them was the possibility of gaining something, not the actual likelihood of success ### 34. Scheme for energy customers An energy-saving scheme led to an unexpected 34_____ Scheme for energy customers An energy-saving scheme led to an unexpected 34_____ **答案**：increase 原文定位：Researchers expected that giving people advice would make them use less energy, but in some cases, the figures moved in the opposite direction and showed an increase ### 35. Energy customers were given information about consumption for different reasons. They were divided into four groups. Each group was told about a different benefit, such as: ·financial savings ·benefits to the environment ·benefits to their 35_____ Only the last group actually changed their behaviour. Energy customers were given information about consumption for different reasons. They were divided into four groups. Each group was told about a different benefit, such as: ·financial savings ·benefits to the environment ·benefits to their 35_____ Only the last group actually changed their behaviour. **答案**：neighbors 原文定位：A third said that using less energy would help people living nearby, especially their neighbors ### 36. Ways to encourage change People want a 36_____ . Ways to encourage change People want a 36_____ . **答案**：reward 原文定位：People may respond better when there is some form of reward, even a small one, such as a discount or positive feedback ### 37. 37_____ might be an efficient way to encourage change. 37_____ might be an efficient way to encourage change. **答案**：technology 原文定位：Another useful tool is technology ### 38. Even minor 38_____ can have an effect. Even minor 38_____ can have an effect. **答案**：changes 原文定位：Small changes in routine can still produce useful results 同义替换：「minor」↔「Small」 ### 39. The 39_____ should spend money on this. The 39_____ should spend money on this. **答案**：government 原文定位：There is also a role for the government, especially in funding schemes that help households improve energy efficiency 同义替换：「spend money」↔「funding」 ### 40. For example, people could change a 40_____ . For example, people could change a 40_____ . **答案**：routine 原文定位：Small changes in routine can still produce useful results, such as reducing heating or switching off unused lights --- 以上内容由鸭圈雅思真题库（www.yaquan.site）提供，收录近期雅思考试真题回忆，支持在线机考模式免费练习。