Question 18 is based on the passage you have just heard.

​​​​​​​听力原文

    (16) [Removing foreign objects from ears and noses costs England almost £3 million a year, a study suggests.] Children were responsible for the vast majority of cases—95% of objects removed from noses and 85% from ears. Every year, an average of 1,218 nose and 2,479 ear removals took place between 2010 and 2016. (17) [According to England’s Hospital Episodes Statistics, children aged 1 to 4 were the most likely to need help from doctors for a foreign object in their nose. Five- to nine-year-olds come to the hospital with something in their ears the most.] Jewelry items accounted for up to 40% of cases in both the ears and noses of children. Paper and plastic toys were the items removed next most from noses. Cotton buds and pencils were also found in ears. 

    (18) [According to the study, the occurrence of foreign objects in children is generally attributed to curiosity.] Children have an impulse to explore their noses and ears. This results in the accidental entry of foreign objects. Any ear, nose and throat surgeon has many weird stories about wonderful objects found in the noses and ears of children and adults. Batteries can pose a particular danger. In all cases, prevention is better than cure. This is why many toys contain warnings about small parts. Recognising problems early and seeking medical attention is important.

18. What is generally believed to account for children putting things in their ears or noses?

解析：D。录音后半部分提到，根据研究，儿童身体里出现异物一般都是好奇心导致的。D项内容与此表述一致，其中的curious是对录音中curiosity的同义替换，故正确答案为D。

错项排除：录音后半部分提到了impulse，但录音说的是孩子们有一种探索自己鼻子和耳朵的冲动，并不是说他们倾向于冲动行事，故A项错误。录音最后提到了attention，但录音说的是及早发现问题并寻求医治（medical attention）是至关重要的，录音中的attention指的是治疗，并不是说孩子们想引起注意，故B项错误。录音中提到了danger，但说的是电池尤其危险，并不是说孩子们没有意识到潜在的风险，故C项错误。