A walk in the park may be just what the doctor ordered. A new program launched last month in Canada gives some doctors the option of providing patients with a free annual pass to the country's national parks as part of an effort to increase access to nature and the health benefits.
PaRx, a health initiative launched by the BC Parks Foundation in 2019, partnered with Parks Canada to provide doctors across four provinces with an initial run of 100 passes that can be prescribed (开处方). The program allows doctors to write more general prescriptions for time spent out in nature; two hours a week, at least 20 minutes at a time, is what PaRx director Dr. Melissa Lem suggests.
“Given the growing body of evidence that indicates nature time can improve all kinds of different physical and mental health conditions, we’re hoping that our PaRx program not only improves patient health, but reduces costs to the health-care system, and helps to grow the number of people who are more engaged environmental advocates,” said Prama Rahman, a coordinator for the BC Parks Foundation.
Doctors have been catching on, instructing their patients to turn to nature to improve their health and they're getting creative in how they do it. Dr. Robert Zarr, a doctor based in Washington, began prescribing accessible outdoor activities for his young patients and even created a searchable online database of local parks to make it easier.
But getting outside isn’t always as easy as it might sound. Income can affect one’s access to nature, an issue that PaRx is trying to address in Canada. Doctors utilizing the new national parks pass program are urged to prioritize patients who might not otherwise be able to afford these passes.
While only 100 adult passes, which give holders access to more than 80 national parks, historic sites and nature reserves, have initially been made available, organizers plan to routinely reassess this number as the program grows, the BC Parks Foundation told NPR
1. What is PaRx intended to do?| A．Qualify doctors to prescribe. | B．Give patients free access to parks. |
| C．Promote free admission to parks. | D．Advocate 20 minutes’ walk a day. |
| A．Financing. | B．Setting up. | C．Evaluating. | D．Carrying out. |
| A．The BC Parks Foundation is expanding rapidly. |
| B．The program has signed up 80 national parks. |
| C．More people will benefit from the program. |
| D．Those living close to parks can gain priority. |
| A．PaRx, a Nature Prescription Program. | B．BC Parks Foundation in Canada |
| C．Year-long Passes to National Parks | D．A New Study on Benefits of Walk |
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【推荐1】For years, there has been a prejudice against science among clinical psychologists (临床心理学家). In a two-year analysis to be published in November in Perspectives on Psychological Science, psychologists charge that many clinical psychologists fail to “provide the treatments which are given the strongest evidence of effectiveness” and “give more weight to their personal experiences than to science.” As a result, patients have no guarantee that their “treatment will be informed by science.” Walter Mischel of Columbia University is even crueler in his judgment. “The disconnect between what clinical psychologists do and what science has discovered is an extreme embarrassment,” he told me, and “there is a widening gap between clinical practice and science.”
The “widening” reflects the great progress that psychological research has made in identifying the most effective treatments. Thanks to strict clinical trials, we now know that teaching patients to think about their thoughts in new, healthier ways and to act on those new ways of thinking are effective against depression, panic disorder and other problems, with multiple trials showing that these treatments the tools of psychology bring more lasting benefits than drugs.
You wouldn’t know this if you sought help from a typical clinical psychologist. Although many treatments are effective, relatively few psychologists learn or practice them.
Why in the world not? For one thing, says Baker from the University of Wisconsin, clinical psychologists are “very doubtful about the role of science” and “lack solid science training”. Also, one third of patients get better no matter what treatment (if any) they have, “and psychologists remember these successes, believing, wrongly, that they are the result of the treatment.”
When faced with evidence that treatments they offer are not supported by science, clinical psychologists argue that they know better than some study that works. A 2008 study of 591 psychologists in private practice(诊所) found that they rely more on their own and colleagues’ experience than on science when deciding how to treat a patient. If they keep on this path despite the fact that insurance companies demand evidence-based medicine, warns Mischel, psychology will “discredit itself.”
1. Many clinical psychologists fail to provide the most effective treatments because ________.| A．they are unfamiliar with their patients | B．they believe in science and evidence |
| C．they rely on their personal experiences | D．they depend on their colleagues’ help |
| A．the cruel judgment by Walter Mischel |
| B．the great progress that has been made in psychological research |
| C．the fact that most patients get better after being treated |
| D．the fact that patients prefer to take drugs rather than have other treatments |
| A．They feel embarrassed. | B．They doubt their treatments. |
| C．They are disappointed. | D．They try to defend themselves. |
| A．Negative. | B．Neutral. | C．Indifferent. | D．Positive. |
【推荐2】The development of the mRNA vaccine (疫苗) — a breakthrough in its field, instructing cells (细胞) to produce their own protection without the risk of giving someone the virus — was fast and effective, made possible through rapid genome sequencing (基因组测序).
So how does it work? Once mRNA is injected (注射), the vaccine attaches to a cell, instructing it to produce a harmless copy of the spike protein — the significant marker of the coronavirus, which allows COVID-19 to inject itself into human cells — causing an immune response. Because mRNA does not enter the cell nucleus (细胞核), it does not change human DNA.
Different from the time it takes to produce traditional vaccines，which are time-wasting and expensive, mRNA can be produced almost instantly.
It’s been a “game changer,” says Tom Kenyon, a former director of global health at the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “These are vaccines that give very strong immunity, which we never had in previous attempts.” Besides, its potential to treat cancer, which it can do by causing the immune system to target cancer cells, is especially exciting. Most traditional immune treatment for cancer uses “passive immunity,” where a drug doesn’t always last long. But active immunity, achieved with mRNA, means the body can remember how to create the response on its own. “That’s what gives everybody in the public health community hope,” Kenyon says.
The biggest drawback is production ability. Many parts of the world would need help setting up the ability to produce these vaccines. “The mRNA story is by far the greatest story of this pandemic (流行病), and it’s an amazing scientific achievement, but we haven’t translated that yet into programmatic results, and that’s what matters,” Kenyon said.
1. Which of the following can describe this new mRNA vaccine?| A．Rapid and risky. | B．Passive and efficient. |
| C．Effective and long-lasting. | D．Harmless and expensive. |
| A．mRNA can cause a problem to human’s DNA |
| B．realizing mass-production in the mRNA vaccine is the key |
| C．mRNA can work very well without entering human bodies |
| D．the mRNA vaccine has been used in cancer treatment |
a. experiment data
b. working process
c. history and origin
d. potential application
e. current limitation
f. people’s doubts
| A．acf | B．bde | C．bdf | D．ade |
| A．Negative. | B．Supportive. | C．Unclear. | D．Worried. |
【推荐3】First aid is a crucial aspect of healthcare that can significantly save someone’s life or prevent further injury or illness. Knowing when to use first aid is essential so that proper measures are taken promptly.
Injuries and Accidents
One of the most common instances where first aid is required is in injuries and accidents.
Cardiac Arrest (心脏停跳)
Another critical situation where first aid can make a difference is during a cardiac arrest. A cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops functioning; immediate intervention is necessary.
Choking and Suffocation (窒息)
Choking and suffocation are emergencies that can occur at any time, and immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further complications. If someone is choking, it is essential to act quickly.
When to use first aid can significantly save someone’s life or prevent further injury or illness.
| A．In any emergency, it is essential to remain calm. |
| B．This can include cuts, burns, falls, sprains, and other unpleasant injuries. |
| C．If someone has taken a poisonous substance, calling emergency services. |
| D．Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre to force out the object causing the obstruction. |
| E．Bleeding and overdose are medical emergencies that require immediate attention. |
| F．This blog post will discuss when to use first aid and the importance of early intervention. |
| G．Blood circulation (血液循环) and oxygen supply to vital organs should be restored immediately. |
【推荐1】After winning the gold medal in the women’s 10-meter platform diving competition in the Tokyo Olympics on Aug 5, 14-year-old Quan Hongchan has caught the attention of the nation. Not only because of her flawless performance, but also for the innocence she displayed while speaking with the media. Quan said her dream is to save enough money to treat her sick mother, buy snacks, and go to an entertainment park and a zoo.
Were it not for the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, Quan would not have participated in the Games as she only joined the national team last year. Quan is the third child of her parents who live in a village in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. The city of Zhanjiang has been a cradle of elite Chinese divers through the years, producing the likes of Lao Lishi, who won gold at the 2004 Athens Games, and He Chong, who ranked first at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
During a visit to Maihe Primary School, Chen Huaming, the diving coach at Zhanjiang Sports School, noticed Quan was more agile (敏捷的) and jumped much higher than other kids. After giving her a try on a diving board, he instantly knew he had discovered a true talent. Quan was not the only youngster to impress Chen, but he admitted she was the one that always practiced the hardest.
Now Quan has become a sporting sensation. Her previously quiet rural home has become a must-see place for not only locals, but also livestreaming hosts and business people, who come for various purposes, all of which are aimed at trying to capitalize on the national attention her success story has attracted.
These uninvited guests have seriously disturbed the Quan family's daily life, and their worldly-wise sophistication (精明) is in stark contrast with the innocence of Quan. The government is duty-bound to extend a helping hand to protect the family from being disturbed, so that the young diving genius can focus more on her training and studies.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?| A．Quan didn’t join the national team until this year. |
| B．Quan, Lao Lishi and He Chong are all Olympic champions. |
| C．Quan’s parents have 3 children who live in a village in Zhanjiang. |
| D．Quan could have taken part in Tokyo’s Olympic Games if it had been held last year. |
| A．Her quiet rural home has become a sporting sensation. |
| B．They want to extend a helping hand to her poor family. |
| C．It is a must-see tourist attraction in the city of Zhanjiang. |
| D．They want to take advantage of the national attention she received. |
| A．help her poor family financially | B．send her abroad to study diving |
| C．help her family live a quiet life | D．focus more on her training and studies |
| A．Hardworking and innocent. | B．Honest and strong-willed. |
| C．Smart and reliable. | D．Easy-going and brave. |
【推荐2】Until March 18, New York City is hosting the New York International Children’s Film Festival ( NYICFF). The festival presented films from 24 countries. 50% of the filmmakers are women.
Since February 23, when the festival began, viewers have been able to choose from more than 100 films at six theaters across the city. Although the event is considered as a children’s festival, the films set no rules as to who you are or where you come from.
Among the films presented at the festival, Zoo and Zombillenium are two impressive (给人印象深刻的) ones. Zoo is a British war film that shows the difference that a kid can make.
Tom is the protagonist (主角) of this heartwarming story. Tom’s dad is the owner of the Belfast Zoo. After he leaves to fight in the war, Tom has to save the zoo’s baby elephant, Buster, from being killed in the war.
“I loved it,” said 9-year-old Gabriel Bieller of New York City after seeing the film. “It really taught how kids could make a difference.”
Ella Hanson, 7, was also moved. “The sweet story of a kid like me making a difference when faced with difficulties caused by a war,” she said, “was very encouraging.”
Zombillenium is an animated (动画的) French film about working hard to achieve your dreams. Hector Saxe is the immediately dislikeable protagonist. His management job is all about rules. But after he starts working at the amusement park (游乐园) that he hates, he puts all of his love into getting it ready for his daughter to visit.
The film had many positive reactions (反响) from the audience. “The story presented great, lifelike characters,” said Sami Ali, 12.
Oliver, 10, who did not provide a last name, said, “It was rather sad, but it underlined the importance of never letting go of the things that you care about.”
1. What can we learn about this year’s NYICFF?| A．It lasted more than three weeks. | B．It attracted viewers from 24 countries. |
| C．It presented films mostly made by women. | D．It only presented films with kids as protagonists. |
| A．He saves the owner of a zoo. | B．He is forced to fight in a war. |
| C．He loses his father because of a war. | D．He helps an elephant live through a war. |
| A．Creative. | B．Relaxing. | C．Educative. | D．Saddening. |
| A．Shy. | B．Strict. | C．Hard-working. | D．Warm-hearted. |
【推荐3】An abandoned steel factory in Beijing caught global attention when Big Air skiing started on Monday. During the competition, athletes slid down a 64-meter-high, 164-meter-long ramp (坡道) to gain speed before they jumped into the air and did tricks. As they rose，television cameras showed them with the repurposed steel factory in the background.
The Big Air skiing structure was built on the site of the former Shougang steel factory, China's first state-owned plant that helped the country become a world leader in steel production. It provided work for thousands but also darkened the sky over Beijing and contributed to the city's air pollution. It was shut down and moved to Hebei province as part of China's plan to restructure its economy and reduce pollution for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Since then, the factory has been turned into an industrial heritage park. Now its cooling towers and smokestacks(烟囱) provide an amazing backdrop for the competitions at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
“We had other plans to build the Big Air skiing structure elsewhere, but the idea to combine Olympics with industrial heritage won over the International Olympic Committee,” said Liu Yumin, a member of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Organizing Committee. “The structure will serve as a basis for the entire plan to turn the industrial heritage park into a future destination of winter sports and related activities. ”
Until now, all Big Air skiing has taken place on temporary structures in mountain ski areas or inside sports stadiums. With narrow runways and shorter, flatter landings, athletes cannot show their best on those temporary setups. The permanent spacious Shougang setup doesn't have those restrictions and skiers have benefited from the enormous improvements during the competition and several skiers have accomplished previously unfinished tricks.
“Temporary jumps like the one in Atlanta can be pretty shaky and scary,” said American skier Nick Goepper. “If something like this can be copied all over the world, it would be super cool.”
“This is one of the coolest things I've seen,” said Eileen Gu. “Instead of pouring black smoke into the sky, the yards are shooting Olympians skyward.”
1. What can be learned about Shougang steel factory?| A．It is still one of the biggest steel factories in Beijing. |
| B．It was shut down during the Beijing Winter Olympics. |
| C．It has become a training center for Beijing Winter Olympics. |
| D．It has been turned into an industrial heritage park in Beijing. |
| A．It can be taken apart easily after the Games. |
| B．It has shorter and flatter landings for the athletes. |
| C．It is the first permanent skiing structure in the world. |
| D．It has made the competition harder for the skiers. |
| A．China's experience should be copied all over the world. |
| B．Temporary Big Air skiing structures are very dangerous. |
| C．The cooling towers can also be used for the other sports. |
| D．It is cool to combine Olympics with industrial heritage. |
| A．History. | B．Design. | C．Industry. | D．Culture. |
