True or false: Walter is taller than Scott, and Scott's little brother is taller than Roger.

判斷正誤：Walter比Scott高，而Scott的弟弟又比Roger高。

Since Walter is not the tallest one of the four, then Scott's little brother must be tallest.

由于Walter不是這四個人中最高的一個，那么Scott的弟弟就一定是最高的了。

Confusing?

暈了嗎？

It's meant to be.

很正常。

This is the sort of question you might encounter on an IQ test.

這是你在做智商測試時很有可能遇到的一種問題。

IQ tests measure a specific kind of intelligence called cognitive ability, meaning the ability to solve problems and grasp concepts.

智商測試衡量一種稱為認知能力的特殊智力，意為解決問題與理解概念的能力。

A typical test measures things such as reasoning skills, problem-solving capacity, and memory.

典型的智商測試衡量的是判斷力，解決問題的能力與記憶力等。

The score you receive rates your cognitive ability compared to the general population.

代表著你的認知能力水平的測試分數將與大眾分數做比較。

A score between 90 and 110 indicates average intelligence, while a score above 130 indicates exceptional intelligence.

介于90與110分之間的分數表明測試者的智商處于中等水平，高于130的分數表明測試者的智商超乎常人。

A score below 70 may indicate mental retardation.

低于70的分數則表明被測者智力低下。

You might object, isn't intelligence a matter of one's environment?

也許你會反駁說，人的智商不是應該與環境有關系嗎？

To the contrary, say many psychologists who believe that there is a general factor of intelligence that has more to do with biology than with environment.

正相反，很多心理學家更偏向于相信智商是與一個人的生活規律有關而非生活環境。

Although culture plays a role in modifying intelligence, according to these psychologists, people are born with varying levels of cognitive ability.

據這些心理學家所說，盡管文化在改善人的智力因素中起著作用，但人生來就有不同程度的認知能力。

In short, some people are smarter than others.

簡而言之，有些人生來就比其他人聰明。

If this strikes you as unfair, fear not.

如果這個事實讓你感到不公平，不必害怕。

Many scientists reject the notion of generalized intelligence, arguing instead that people have only collections of abilities to perform various specific tasks.

很多科學家反對廣義智力的概念，而是認為人們只有掌握了各種能力才能去處理不同的任務。

Furthermore, intelligence may be measured in various ways, including creativity, imagination, and empathy.

此外，智商還可以采用其他方式進行測量，包括創造力，想象力還有同情心。

So if you're better at telling stories than solving story problems, take heart.

所以說，如果你擅長講故事而非解決問題，也不必介意。

You're not dumb, just intelligent in a way not measured by IQ.

你并不笨，只是你所擁有的智力無法用測量智商的方法測出來而已。