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  3. Two main techniques have been used for training elephants, which we may call respectively the tough and the gentle. The former m

Two main techniques have been used for training elephants, which we may call respectively the tough and the gentle. The former m

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问题      Two main techniques have been used for training elephants, which we may call respectively the tough and the gentle. The former method simply consists of setting an elephant to work and beating him until he does what is expected of him. Apart from any moral considerations this is a stupid method of training, for it produces a resentful animal who at later stage may well turn into a man-killer. The gentle method requires more patience in the early stages, but produces a cheerful, good-tempered elephant who will give many years of loyal service.
     The first essential in elephant training is it assigns to the animal a single mahout who will be entirely responsible for the job. Elephants like to have one master just as dogs do; and are capable of a considerable degree of personal auction. There are even stories of half trained elephant calves who have refused to feed and pained to death when by some unavoidable circum stance they have been deprived of their own trainer. Such extreme case must probably be taken with a grain of salt, but they do underline the general principle that the relationship between elephant and mahout is the key to successful training.
     The most economical age to capture an elephant for training is between fifteen and twenty years, for it is then almost ready to undertake heavy work and can begin to earn its keep straight away. But animals of this age do not easily become subservient to man, and a very firm hand must be employed in the early stages. The captive elephant, still roped to tree, plunges and screams every time a man approaches, and for several days will probably refuse all food through anger and fear. Sometimes a tame elephant is tethered nearby to give the wild one confidence, and in most cases the captive gradually quietens down and begins to accept its food. The next stage is to get the elephant to the training establishment, a ticklish business which is achieved with the aid if two tame elephants roped to the captive on either side.
     When several elephants are being trained at one time, it is customary for the new arrival to be placed between the stalls of two captives whose training is already well advanced. It is then left completely undisturbed with plenty of food and water so that it can absorb the atmosphere of its new home and see that nothing particular alarming is happening to its companions. When it is eating normally, its own training begins. The trainer stands in front of the elephant holding a long stick with a sharp metal point. Two assistants, mounted on tamed elephants, control the captive from either side, while others rub their hands over his skin to the accompaniment of a monotonous and soothing chant. This is supposed to induce pleasurable sensations in the elephant, and its effects are reinforced by the use of endearing epithets, such as" Ho f My son", or" Ho ! My father", according to the age and sex of the captive. The elephant is not immediately susceptible to such blandishments, however, and usually lashes fiercely with its trunk in all directions. These movements are controlled by the trainer with the metal-pointed stick, and trunk eventually becomes so sore that the elephant curls it up and afterwards uses it for offensive purposes.
This passage mainly discusses______.
选项 A、two techniques used for training elephants
B、the inhumane method used in training elephants
C、how to train the elephant
D、the bad relationship between human beings and elephants
答案C
解析 主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文讲述了驯象的方法、时机和工具等。由此可以看出选项A和选项B是文章提到的内容，但不全面，不能概括全文；而选项D与文章主旨不符。只有选项C概括了文章的内容，是正确答案。
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