Keeping a busy social life among lots of friends may keep people thinner than spending hours doing some exercises, according to scientists. They say that socializing and meeting with friends help increase levels of brown fat in the body which burns calories to produce heat.
Living in an exciting social environment was found to reduce fat in mice"s belly by half over four weeks, even if they ate more. US researchers say that social excitement aids weight loss by turning white fat into brown. White fat stores calories and makes us fatter, while brown burns energy to produce heat. Turning white fat into brown is extremely difficult, normally requiring long- term stay in cold conditions or exciting part of the body"s nervous system.
However, scientists from Ohio State University now think that having a busy social life is an even more effective way of changing white fat into brown. The team came up with their theory by studying the effects of various living environments on mice. Those, who lived alongside a greater number of mice, had more space and toys to excite themselves and then lost far more weight over the course of the study than their “couch potato" fellows.
Study author, Dr Matthew During, whose team"s findings appear in the journal Cell Metabolism, said, "I"m still amazed at the degree of fat loss that occurs." Explaining how new technology had threatened face-to-face socializing, he added, "It"s not just a sedentary(久坐的) lifestyle and high calorie foods, but an increasing lack of social activities." Co-author Dr Lei Cao said，"Loneliness is a potential factor for cancer and death; it"s equal to cigarette smoking to a certain extent. Social activities are very vital.
小题1:What information can we get from the first two paragraphs?| A．Brown fat stores calories and makes us fatter | | B．It doesn"t take long to turn white fat into brown. | | C．Social excitement helps gain more weight | | D．Brown fat can burn energy to produce heat. |
小题2:Which of the following statement does the text support?| A．Levels of brown fat can be increased by socializing. | | B．The mice lacking social life lose more weight. | | C．The research findings haven"t been published so far. | | D．Dr Matthew During wasn"t convinced of the result. |
小题3:We can conclude from the text that _______.| A．the fat in mice"s belly was reduced because of the relaxing environment | | B．a sedentary lifestyle and high calories foods influence people"s social life | | C．surfing the Internet may influence people"s face-to-face communication | | D．cancer and death are mainly caused for lack of social life |
小题4:What’s the main idea of the text?| A．Brown fat is beneficial to people"s health. | | B．Socializing is unnecessarily important in people"s daily life. | | C．White fat can be changed into brown fat. | | D．Socializing contributes to people"s losing weight. |
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小题1:D
小题2:A
小题3:C
小题4:D |
试题分析：文章大意为：本文讲述了一项关于减肥的研究。以小老鼠的例子告诉人们应该积极参加社交活动多锻炼，而不是总是呆在不动。
小题1:D 细节理解题；根据第二段第二句话“US researchers say that social excitement aids weight loss by turning white fat into brown. White fat stores calories and makes us fatter, while brown burns energy to produce heat.” 美国研究者认为，社交兴奋感可以把“白色脂肪”转化为“棕色脂肪”，从而有助于减肥。
“白色脂肪”储存卡路里，使人们长胖，而“棕色脂肪”能够燃烧能量，产生热量。故D正确。
小题2:A细节理解题。根据第二段“White fat stores calories and makes us fatter, while brown burns energy to produce heat. Turning white fat into brown is extremely difficult, normally requiring long- term stay in cold conditions or exciting part of the body"s nervous system.”可知A 正确。
小题3:C 推理判断题。根据最后一段“Explaining how new technology had threatened face-to-face socializing, he added, "It"s not just a sedentary(久坐的) lifestyle and high calorie foods, but an increasing lack of social activities.”可知C 正确。
小题4:D 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段得出;科学家研究发现，与在跑步机上锻炼几个小时相比，跟朋友一起参加社交活动更有利于保持苗条身材。研究人员表示，社交活动和朋友聚会能帮助提高体内“棕色脂肪”的含量，这种脂肪可以燃烧卡路里，产生热量。所以有助于减肥。选D。
考点:健康保健类短文阅读。 |
核心考点
试题【Keeping a busy social life among lots of friends may keep people thinner than sp】；主要考察你对
题材分类等知识点的理解。
[详细]举一反三
In the past, the affairs happening inside one country had little influence on other countries, even the neighboring ones. Therefore, incidents of food safety only affected and spread within one country, one city, one island or one village. However, with globalization, goods and products can almost flow freely between countries, regions, and continents. So the food safety problem is therefore no longer a national or regional issue, but rather a global one．
In 1997, Avian Influenza caused widespread panic in Hong Kong．It is said that the Avian Influenza originated from Shenzhen. Some Hong Kong people blamed the chicken farm staff on the mainland for the outbreak. The staff was accused of not thoroughly checking the health condition of the chicks under their care. It resulted in Hong Kong people"s anger towards chicken farm staff in Shenzhen, whose supposed negligence(疏忽)contributed to the later spread of Avian Influenza in Hong Kong．
Worse still, in Germany, people have been warned not to eat cucumbers until tests can identify the source of a deadly E. coli outbreak. The scare has spread across Europe, with 16 people so far having been killed．In many people"s minds, European countries have the strictest standards and checking procedures on their food safety. But the E. coli cucumber incident brought home the reality that it was not an effective defense against such an outbreak．
These diverse food safety issues from various parts of the world are enough evidence that food safety problem is not endemic in China. In fact, food safety is not even directly related to the development level of a place, thanks, no doubt, to the connectivity of our age. If we do not maintain our vigilance(警惕), people"s confidence in food safety can be destroyed instantly—even in a developed country
小题1:Which of the following is true according to the passage?| A．Nowadays, food safety incidents spread inside one country | | B．In 1997, Avian Influenza caused great fear in Hong Kong | | C．16 Germans died of deadly E. coli after eating cucumbers | | D．Food safety is only related to the developing countries |
小题2:The underlined word "endemic" in the last paragraph most probably means "______"| A．serious | B．common | C．urgent | D．unique |
小题3:We can infer from the passage that ______| A．food safety problems spread from one country to another | | B．the staff of a Shenzhen chicken farm caught Avian Influenza | | C．the strictest standards protected European people from getting E. coli | | D．China is a country where food safety problem is related to people"s age |
小题4:Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?| A．Food Safety Problem Is a Global Issue | | B．Cucumbers Are Popular in European Countries | | C．Avian Influenza Originated from Shenzhen | | D．Food Safety Issues Are Various from Country to Country |
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As hand-held devices such as smartphones are becoming more common, users are reporting some new physical problems. Florida chiropractor Dean Fishman began noticing an increased number of patients talking about neck and shoulder pain. He discovered these symptoms were due to the overuse of hand-held devices, particularly the action of bending the neck, and then coined the term “Text Neck.” As if the painful symptoms weren’t bad enough, Fishman warns that an untreated case of Text Neck could lead to permanent spinal(脊椎) damage.
Other doctors have warned about “iPad Hand,” a condition that occurs when people use tablets like the iPad for hours at a time. Most people use their left hand to support the tablet and their right hand to tap or scroll. Doing this for long periods without changing positions can result in severe joint pain.
In order to avoid or reduce the possibility of getting Text Neck or iPad Hand, use the following basic ergonomic(人体工学的) principles:
Avoid awkward positioning. Don’t strain your neck, and stay aware of how you are positioned in relation to the device. Make sure that both your neck and shoulders are relaxed and that you aren’t leaning over for a long period of time.
Take frequent breaks when using any kind of mobile device. Many doctors recommend that users change their position every 15 minutes.
When using a tablet, use a case that can support the device on a table or your lap at a comfortable viewing angle.
Along with a case, use a separate keyboard with your tablet. This will be more comfortable since you’ll be resting both hands on the keyboard. And since you won’t be holding the tablet, you’ll be less likely to experience hand or arm pain.
小题1:What kind of product for hand-held devices does the writer discuss?| A．One for recording. | B．One for charging. | | C．One for telephoning. | D．One for typing. |
小题2:Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “coined” (Para1)?| A．cashed | B．created | C．changed | D．completed |
小题3:Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?| A．If you are holding an iPad for long periods, it could cause spinal damage. | | B．Text Neck symptoms include long-term damage in the back. | | C．You are advised to lean over in relation to the device. | | D．You should rest your hands on the keyboard at times. |
小题4:In which magazine would you most likely find this article?| A．Personal Finance | B．Science Fiction Monthly | | C．Mind and Body | D．Smartphone World |
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The Green Microgym in Portland，Oregon has all the usual stuff you"d expect-sweaty people，loud music，smooth exercise equipment-but it has some extras as well. Everywhere you look，there are power wires. And these aren"t the typical kind that let you surf the Web while you ride a spin cycle-although. you can do that too．The gym uses special exercise equipment that captures（捕获）the energy you create while riding, converts（转换）it into electricity and channels it into the power outlets（插座）．
The idea of using exercise equipment to produce electricity is not new. A gym in Hong Kong has been doing this since 2007. But clean (and healthy）energy is just now starting to catch on in U. S. gyms·"We have seen a significant increase in interest in the past six months，which is a good sign that fitness centers are ready to spend money on green technologies，” says Mike Curnyn，co-founder of the Green Revolution，a Connecticut-based firm that wires bikes into a central battery that can store energy.
The Green Microgym，first opened in 2008，has more than 200 members and is doing so well that owner Adam Boesel opened another one five miles from the original．Although membership costs about the same as ordinary gyms，customers can earn gift certificates from local businesses for watts produced while exercising．An average workout creates 37. 5 watt hours，which is enough to power a phone for a week．
Boesel uses spin bikes made by Resource Fitness，a Seattle company he co-owns，that captures energy produced from the flywheel. Wires send the converted AC current（交流电流）into any standard wall outlet-for this reason，the product line"s name is Plug Out-and the energy created is used before the building draws power from the grid（电网）．Unlike the Green Revolution equipment，Plug Out machines cannot store extra energy. A third company，the Florida-based ReRev，is adding converters to a specific brand of spin bikes. But since the converters add＄1，000 to the price of the equipment，the ReRev and Green Revolution machines are at a disadvantage．
Resource Fitness，by contrast，sells its equipment for the same＄1，200 price as non- electricity-producing machines，removing the question of how long it will be until the energy savings pay for the cost of the unit．The company can afford to do this because its designs don’t call for the extra wiring needed for battery packs and large converters．It is also trying to price competitively with standard equipment so more gyms-and gym goers-will make the switch．
小题1:Members of the Green Microgym earn gift certificates for_______．| A．using the man-powered exercise equipment | | B．saving electricity for local businesses | | C．producing green electricity to power their phones | | D．paying higher membership fees |
小题2:The spin bikes made by Resource Fitness are different from those by Green Revolution in that_______.| A．they are easier to ride | | B．they are more expensive | | C．they don"t have wires connected | | D．they can not store extra electricity |
小题3:What might prevent the green exercise equipment from getting more popular？| A．People"s unwillingness to go green． | | B．The high cost of making it. | | C．Safety problems concerning electricity. | | D．Lack of certificates． |
小题4:The underlined words“make the switch”in the last paragraph most probably mean_____.| A．change to a different gym | | B．use green exercise equipment | | C．switch on the spin bikes | | D．add a battery to the machine |
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Digestion 5 a complex series of signals between the gut (肠道)and the nervous system and it takes about 20 minutes for the brain to tell that the body has eaten enough. This means that if someone eats too 6 , the signals will come slowly, leading to 7 .
Scientists say that distractions make it 8 for us to remember what we have eaten. This absent-mindedness stops us from feeling 9 – and sends us reaching for some snacks later on. It is thought that our memory of what we have eaten plays a key role in 10 appetite. This means that distractions stop us from remembering the detail of what we have eaten – leaving us feeling 11 .
Advocates of mindful eating 12 chewing food slowly and taking note of its color, smell and flavor. Before 13 dieters should ask themselves if they are really hungry---and if not, distract themselves by going for a walk or reading. Done 14 , mindful eating may not only leave you 15 , but also make you enjoy mealtimes.
| 小题1: | | A．feeling | B．protecting | C．freeing | D．saving |
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| 小题2: | | A．shape | B．health | C．touch | D．business |
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| 小题3: | | A．appetite | B．speed | C．emotion | D．mind |
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| 小题4: | | A．orders | B．sounds | C．desires | D．messages |
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| 小题5: | | A．discovers | B．involves | C．sends | D．holds |
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| 小题6: | | A．quickly | B．slowly | C．gradually | D．suddenly |
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| 小题7: | | A．imbalance | B．damage | C．overeating | D．failure |
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| 小题8: | | A．clearer | B．easier | C．sharper | D．harder |
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| 小题9: | | A．full | B．great | C．comfortable | D．delicious |
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| 小题10: | | A．building | B．losing | C．controlling | D．improving |
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| 小题11: | | A．upset | B．eager | C．hungry | D．desperate |
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| 小题12: | | A．mind | B．advise | C．avoid | D．consider |
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| 小题13: | | A．snacking | B．running | C．writing | D．cooking |
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| 小题14: | | A．quietly | B．strongly | C．properly | D．poorly |
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| 小题15: | | A．slim | B．fat | C．strong | D．calm |
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Shaped like a pair of almonds sitting in the middle of your brain, the amygdala helps control fear and anxiety. A rare condition called Urbach-Wiethe disease left SM without her amygdala, and seems to have completely erased her sense of fear.
To try to understand how the amygdala works, a team of researchers made their efforts to scare SM. They showed her horror movies and took her to the Waverly Hills Sanatorium Haunted House in Kentucky. She pushed out one of the monsters(巨物) and laughed. SM said she didn’t like snakes, but at a pet store full of poisonous creatures, she kept asking to touch them. When asked to rate her feelings, SM reported feeling surprised or disgusted, but never fearful.
“She tends to approach everything she should be avoiding,” says Justin Feinstein of the University of Iowa. This means the amygdala could control deeper urges to approach or avoid danger. Other scientists have a different opinion, though. “I don’t believe you can make a general statement about what the amygdala does by a single case study,” Elizabeth Phelps said. In 2002, Phelps published a study on a similar patient with amygdala damage who still showed fear.
It may sound like fun to be totally fearless, but we get scared for a good reason. “The nature of fear is survival and the amygdala helps us stay alive by avoiding situations, people, or objects that put our life in danger,” Feinstein said. SM was once followed in a park after dark by a man with a knife, and she simply walked away. “It is quite remarkable that she is still alive,” said Feinstein.
小题1:SM dares to walk alone in the dark mainly because ____________.| A．she is a superhero | | B．she has experienced such conditions a lot | | C．she is a mental patient | | D．she has no sense of fear |
小题2:Researchers tried their best to frighten SM in order to find ___________.| A．The function of a particular organ | | B．SM’s reaction of fear and anxiety | | C．The process of removing amygdale | | D．A special way to get along with monsters |
小题3:What do we know from the research on SM?| A．It was easy for her to avoid danger. | | B．SM never felt fearful but disgusted. | | C．SM was frightened by nothing except monsters. | | D．SM got along well with the snakes. |
小题4:What is Elizabeth Phelps’ attitude toward the function of the amygdala based on the research on SM?| A．Indifferent | B．Supportive | C．Disapproving | D．Interested |
小题5:What can we infer from the last paragraph?| A．People can remove their amygdala to be fearless. | | B．SM will be admired because of her bravery. | | C．No one can survive if their amygdala is removed. | | D．The sense of fear is crucial to humans. |
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