题目内容：

Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

If you suffer from shyness, you are not alone, for shyness is a universal phenomenon. It is not surprising that social scientists are exploring its environmental causes

The first environmental cause of shyness may be a child’s home and family life. today's children are growing up in smaller and smaller families, with fewer and fewer relatives living nearby. Growing up in homes in which both parents work full time, children may not have the socializing experience of frequent visits by neighbours and friends. Because of their lack of social skills, they may begin to feel shy when they start school

A second environmental cause of shyness in an individual may be one's culture. In a large study conducted in Japanl, 57% participants rated themselves as shy. Researchers Lynne Henderson and Philip Zimbardo say, " One explanation is that in Japan, an individual's performance success is credited externally to parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and others, while failure is entire blamed on the person. "Therefore, Japanese learn not to take risks in public and rely instead on group-shared decisions.

Technology may also play a role. In the United State, the number of young people who report being shy has risen from 40% to 50% in recent years. Due to our huge advances in technology, watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the Web have replaced recreational activities that involve social interaction for many young people. Adults, too, are becoming more isolated as a result of technology. face-to face interactions with bank clerks, gas station attendants, and shop assistants are no longer necessary because people can use machines to do their banking fill their gas tanks, and order goods. In short, they become shy.

It appears that most people have experienced shyness at some time in their lives. Therefore, if you are shy, you have lots of company.