1 . Running is often tiring and a lot of hard work, but nothing beats the feeling you get after finishing a long workout around the track.
But while it’s long been believed that endorphins (内啡肽) —chemicals in the body that cause happiness—are behind the so-called “runner’s high”, a study suggested that there may be more to this phenomenon than we previously knew.
According to a recent study published by a group of scientists from several German universities, a group of chemicals called endocannabinoids (内源性大麻素) may actually be responsible for this familiar great feeling.
To test this theory, the scientists turned to mice. Both mice and humans release high levels of endorphins and endocannabinoids after exercise. After exercising on running wheels, the mice seemed happy and relaxed and displayed no signs of anxiety. But after being given a drug to block their endorphins, the mice’s behavior didn’t seem to change. However, when their endocannabinoids were blocked with a different drug, their runners’ high symptoms seemed to fade.
“The long-held notion of endorphins being responsible for the runner’s high is false. Endorphins are effective pain relievers, but only when it comes to the pain in your body and muscles you feel after working out,” Patrick Lucas Austin wrote on science blog Lifchacker.
Similar studies are yet to be carried out on humans, but it’s already known that exercise is a highly effective way to get rid of stress or anxiety. The UK’s National Health Service even prescribes (开药 方) exercise to patients who are suffering from depression. “Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can improve your mood if you have depression, and its especially useful for people with mild to moderate (中等的) depression,” it wrote on its website.
It seems like nothing can beat that feeling we get after a good workout, even if we don’t fully understand where it comes from. At least if we’re feeling down, we know that all we have to do is to put on our running shoes.
1. What did scientists from German universities recently discover?A.Working out is a highly effective way to treat depression. |
B.The runner’s high could be caused by endocannabinoids. |
C.Endorphins may contribute to one’s high spirits after running. |
D.The level of endorphins and endocannabinoids could affect one’s mood. |
A.To find what reduces the runner’s high symptoms. |
B.To see the specific symptoms of the runner’s high. |
C.To identify what is responsible for the runner’s high. |
D.To test what influences the level of endocannabinoids released. |
A.Effect. | B.Goal. | C.Opinion. | D.Question |
A.They can help ease depression symptoms. |
B.They are the best way to treat depression. |
C.They only work for those with serious depression. |
D.They can help people completely recover from depression. |
2 . By now, most people know they should be eating more vegetables. But are there ways to get more from the vegetables you already eat? A research shows that when it comes to vegetables, it’s not only how much we eat, but also how we prepare them, that decides the vitamins and other nutrients that enter our body.
Many studies show that people who eat lots of vegetables have less heart disease, and eye problems and even cancer. But raw vegetables are not always best. The researchers found that 198 Germans who eat raw food were short of lycopene, the matter found in tomatoes and other red vegetables. “There is an idea that raw foods are always going to be better,” says Steven K. Clinton, a professor at Ohi o State University. “For fruits and vegetables, sometimes a little bit of cooking can be helpful.”
A number of factors decide how the vegetables do good to people’s health before they reach the table, including where and how they were grown and stored before being bought. No single cooking way is best. Some nutrients are easily lost in cooking if they are cooked in different ways.
Vitamins C and B are often lost. In January, another report said that boiling was better for carrots than frying or serving them raw. Frying was the worst way to cook.
What cooked with the vegetables can also be important? When the vegetables were cooked with fat, the diners can get more nutrients. Fat can also make the taste of vegetables better, meaning that people will eat more of them. Putting on some other things that make it taste better—a little salt—can make the food taste better.
1. The writer mainly wants to tell us that ________.A.people should eat more vegetables |
B.the way people eat vegetables is important |
C.eating vegetables is good for us |
D.how much vegetables one should eat |
A.have the eyes problems | B.have heart disease |
C.be in need of lycopene | D.hate eating tomatoes |
A.the place where the vegetables are grown |
B.the way how the vegetables are stored |
C.the way how the vegetables are prepared |
D.the price at which the vegetable are sold |
A.It’s better to cook vegetables with fat |
B.the more fat in the cooking, the fewer vegetables people will eat |
C.It’s better to cook the vegetables without salt |
D.the fat will increase the nutrition of the vegetables |
3 . “Just sign here, sir,” the deliveryman said as he handed Oscar Reyna a package.
The package consisted of a long, narrow box
Oscar was 16 when he first saw the
Oscar
Oscar talked his grandparents into going by Mrs. O’Brien’s house on their way home. He rang the bell, the door opened, and an elderly woman appeared. “May I
“I’d like to return it if it’s yours,” Oscar said,
“Why, yes! It’s mine,” replied Mrs. O’Brien with a
“No, ma’am,” he said. “My grandmother says that a good deed is its own reward.”
“Well, that’s
Years later Oscar was staring at the finely carved handle of the umbrella as he remembered Mrs. O’Brien. It was in perfect condition, considering how
As if
A.strictly | B.carefully | C.roughly | D.casually |
A.Opening | B.Seizing | C.Observing | D.Searching |
A.After | B.When | C.Since | D.Although |
A.average | B.unusual | C.plain | D.typical |
A.designer | B.seller | C.user | D.owner |
A.convinced | B.forced | C.encouraged | D.advised |
A.until | B.before | C.which | D.where |
A.invite | B.help | C.bother | D.know |
A.putting up | B.turning out | C.picking up | D.holding out |
A.wide | B.confident | C.proud | D.shy |
A.patience | B.kindness | C.courage | D.determination |
A.obviously | B.naturally | C.exactly | D.probably |
A.old | B.rare | C.precious | D.nice |
A.in contrast | B.in return | C.in exchange | D.in answer |
A.attractive | B.significant | C.unselfish | D.sympathetic |
4 . San Francisco Fire Engine Tours
San Francisco Winery TourRunning: February 1st through April 30th
This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer.(Included in tickets price)
Departing from the Cannery: Tour times upon request.Duration(时长): 2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st
This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco’s most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.
Departing from the Cannery: 5:00 pm and 7:30 pmDuration: 2 hours
Price: $90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31st
Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district. Authentic fire gear(服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.
Departing from the Cannery: 6:30 pm and 8:30 pmDuration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23rd
This attractive tour takes you to some of San Francisco’s most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.
Departing from the Cannery: 7:00 pm and 9:00 pmDuration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1. Which of the tours is available in March?
A.San Francisco Winery Tour. | B.Back to the Fifties Tour. |
C.Spooky Hallowen Tour. | D.Holiday Lights Tour. |
A.Go to Treasure Island. | B.Enjoy the holiday scenes. |
C.Have free ice cream. | D.Visit the Presidio district. |
A.Take some drinks. | B.Set off early in the morning. |
C.Wear warm clothes. | D.Make reservations in advance. |
5 . Hansen and his 10-year-old son Chase search the streets of Salt Lake City every weekend for the homeless to take to lunch. They started Project Empathy(共情)four years ago to
“Just start with a smile, a hello. It really just starts with that. If you do it, you can make a connection. A small gesture can have a
Some of these shared meals have turned into stronger
Father and son’s
“My hope for the future is to
A.buy | B.cook | C.share | D.eat |
A.often | B.further | C.also | D.even |
A.dramatic | B.different | C.minimum | D.decisive |
A.remarked | B.praised | C.joked | D.quoted |
A.desires | B.connections | C.motivations | D.opinions |
A.provided | B.permitted | C.abandoned | D.housed |
A.through | B.for | C.despite | D.to |
A.surprised | B.relaxed | C.awesome | D.calm |
A.dreams | B.influences | C.experiences | D.efforts |
A.assesses | B.compares | C.highlights | D.respects |
A.importance | B.task | C.chance | D.role |
A.argument | B.problem | C.debt | D.conflict |
A.go away | B.catch on | C.fade out | D.give off |
A.establish | B.miss | C.exchange | D.maintain |
A.before | B.if | C.until | D.so |
6 . Rave-on!
How about learning new skills on the guitar, drums and keyboard by video? Follow the touch-screen instructions to find lessons on each instrument, or search for a song to practise playing along to. Try our Professional Selection, with video clips of band members who will explain the techniques that make their recordings so individual.
Show-in-a-day!
Be a star singer or dancer for the day in a one-time-only special performance! Experts in international music and dance styles will train you, and costumes provided for the performance help create a really special, individual show. Get your friends and family to come and see you perform, as no videoing or photography is allowed.
Archived Images
Want to find out about a new band, or just want more information about an old favourite? Visit our collection to find out facts and figures, or see the actual possessions of famous bands and musicians you are interested in. You can actually get to touch things worn on stage at major rock and pop events, and there are plenty of other concert souvenirs.
Rhythm-studio
Get your body moving in the studio and learn to move to rhythms and sounds from the past to now, including Soul and Disco. Learn your steps from our professional onscreen dance instructor, then watch your performance and become the star in your own video recording which you can take away!
1. Which one can collect information about someone’s favourite bands?A.Rave-on! | B.Archived Images. |
C.Show-in-a-day! | D.Rhythm-studio. |
A.Rhythm-studio offers free gifts from musicians. |
B.Rhythm-studio has experts to teach face to face. |
C.Rhythm-studio gets family members to enjoy the shows. |
D.Rhythm-studio allows people to bring videos home. |
A.In a report. | B.In a travel brochure. |
C.In a newspaper. | D.In a science magazine. |
7 . Getting sick is a common part of people’s lives. But their attitudes toward being sick and hospital visits vary from country to country. This difference hasn’t been more obvious since the start of the novel coronavirus epidemic — when a great number of people are falling ill all at the same time.
The conditions in the US are getting worse quickly, which is largely due to the fact that there’s no universal health-care system. According to the 2019 US Census, 28 million people are not covered or do not have adequate health insurance, meaning that they would probably avoid getting tested for the virus, for fear of the cost of being hospitalized.
‘‘There is a strong financial reason to hide symptoms, to try to keep working and caring for children, and thus, they’re spreading the virus … simply because they have no other choice.” wrote reporter James Hamblin on The Atlantic.
Germany, on the contrary, has one of the world’s best-developed public healthcare systems that covers every citizen. People in Germany — who have ‘‘high levels of job security’’, according to the Los Angeles Times — are also more likely to follow the separation measures and stay at home without having to worry about losing their jobs.
Japan also has universal public health-care, but it brings another kind of problem: People tend to seek more medical care than necessary. According to Yusuke Tsugawa, a physician at Harvard University, Japan has three times more outpatient (门诊) visits than in the US, and patients also stay in hospital for three times longer than in the US. This often wastes medical resources, which are even more critical and precious during a global pandemic.
‘‘It isn’t good to do tests just to ease public anxiety,” Kentaro Iwata, an infectious disease expert at Kobe University, Japan, told Reuters. ‘‘If they test everyone with light symptoms, the medical system will break down.”
Indeed, a country’s healthcare system is the key to keeping its people safe - it’s also the key to whether a country can survive a crisis like the novel coronavirus pandemic.
1. Why are the conditions in the US worsening rapidly?A.All people there avoid getting tested. |
B.Most people there don’t have health insurance. |
C.Most people there can’t afford being hospitalized. |
D.All people there are not covered by health-care system. |
A.They choose to do so. | B.They don’t want to work alone. |
C.They are concerned about money. | D.They want to stay with their children. |
A.They have too many outpatient visits. |
B.They waste too much time on unnecessary testing. |
C.They spend too much money on public health-care. |
D.They don’t make the best use of medical resources. |
8 . A fat man with a camera around his neck and a bottle of sunscreen cream sticking out of his bag, he really did look like a tourist. He sat on the terrace (平台), sipping lemonade and pretending to look at a tourism brochure. His sunglasses masked his eyes, but I knew he wasn't looking at the brochure: he hadn't turned a page for the last ten minutes. As I brought him his dishes, he coughed up a "thank you" and looked at me briefly I tried not to stare at the tiny scar across his left eyebrow.
I walked back inside with my empty tray, shaking my head. He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. Then it hit me. The car accident. The mysterious stranger who helped me out of my crashed car, just before it exploded. I rushed back to his table. He was gone.
I moved his saucer and found his tip, along with a card: I am deeply grateful to you. The night of your car accident, I was on my way to rob a jewelry store. Saving your life brought things back in a right way. I now live an honest life, thanks to you. God bless you! Mr. D.
I shivered (震颤). The night of my car accident, I was heading for an interview in an illegal dance club. Seeing human kindness through his heroic gesture (英雄姿态) turned my life around and brought faith back into my life. I unfolded the tip he left. Among the singles was a grand (一千块) with a pen mark underlining "In God We Trust. "I said a silent prayer for him and got back to work, smiling.
1. Why did the fat man look like a tourist?A.Because he doesn't look like a native citizen. |
B.Because he ordered strange food and drinks |
C.Because he used money not the same as the locals. |
D.Because he carried what tourists usually have on. |
A.The page remained unturned. | B.He was drinking all the time. |
C.He sat still with his sunglasses. | D.He was staring at the writer. |
A.The man became a rich man year later. |
B.The writer didn't go to that interview. |
C.The writer had been searching for the man. |
D.They kept in touch with each other since then. |
A.Cod. | B.Worried. | C.Grateful. | D.Trusty. |
9 . Planning to get away? Think passport first
If you’re planning to get away from it all this year, you should think passport first. Checking you have a valid passport before you book your trip takes minutes but could save you the trouble and cost of not being able to go.
Renewing (更新) your passport before it runs out
You can renew your passport up to 9 months before it can no longer be legally used. So take the time now and save the tears later.
Applying for a passport for the first time
Our eligibility (资格) checks mean that it takes at least one week to issue (颁发) a passport. So make sure you don’t leave it to the last minute, and apply in plenty of time.
Help with your application is just around the corner
Selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents offer a Check and Send service that helps you with your application. It’s convenient and you should receive your passport within 2 weeks.
If you need to apply for or renew a passport, you can either:
Pick up a Passport Application Form at Selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents.
Or call the Application Form Request line on 0901 4700 100 or visit www.passport.gov.uk
If your need is urgent, call 0870 521 0410 for an appointment at one of our offices. We can’t guarantee to see customers without an appointment.
1. When applying for a passport for the first time, you need to know that ______.A.passports can be legally used forever |
B.passports are issued at the last minute |
C.application checks take at least one week |
D.applications are selected by post office branches |
A.going to the offices directly |
B.making a call for an appointment |
C.visiting www.passport.gov.uk for a guarantee |
D.getting in touch with Worldchoice travel agents |
A.Certain types of passports. | B.Instructions on applying for passports.. |
C.Advantages of holding passports. | D.Different functions of passports |
10 . It is a blue, cotton shirt. The shirt belonged to my
We shared the shirt, and as days
At times David also talked about his father. Usually it was late at night, in the dormitory just before bed, and the
Time passed and we had to say goodbye to each other. After lots of hugging, and words of thanks, we eventually departed. It was on my
I put aside the note, with
A.colleague | B.brother | C.roommate | D.professor |
A.Because | B.Unless | C.While | D.Even if |
A.came across | B.went by | C.ran out | D.came up |
A.victories | B.belongings | C.scholarships | D.stories |
A.happened | B.refused | C.struggled | D.failed |
A.turn out | B.stand out | C.figure out | D.drop out |
A.interview | B.discussion | C.conversation | D.debate |
A.failure | B.depression | C.poverty | D.illness |
A.connection | B.distance | C.difference | D.conflict |
A.first | B.last | C.next | D.second |
A.touched | B.pulled | C.removed | D.folded |
A.attached | B.applied | C.adjusted | D.admitted |
A.guidance | B.devotion | C.friendship | D.mercy |
A.less than | B.other than | C.more than | D.rather than |
A.sympathetic | B.grateful | C.joyful | D.painful |