1 . For anyone still doubting the belief that our emotions impact our physical health, a new study from New Zealand should be able to settle the matter. It reports that the physical wounds of healthy seniors healed more quickly if they wrote about their most upsetting experiences.
This confirms the results of a 2010 study, and extends those findings to cover older adults — a group that is likely to suffer wounds (such as from surgery), and one with less access to other ways of lowering stress (such as exercise).
Reported in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, a research team led by the University of Auckland’s Elizabeth Broadbent made a study featuring 50 healthy adults ranging in age from 64 to 97. They were asked to write for 20 minutes per day for three days on end.
Half were asked to write about the most upsetting experience in their life, describing their deepest thoughts, feelings, and emotions about the events, ideally not previously shared with others. The others were asked to write about their daily activities without mentioning emotions, opinions or beliefs.
Two weeks after the third day of writing, all participants received a standard 4mm skin biopsy (皮下活体组织检查) on their inner arm. The very tiny wounds caused by the biopsy were photographed regularly over the following days to determine the rate at which they healed.
On the 11th day after the biopsy, the wounds completely healed on 76.2 percent of those who had done the expressive writing. That was true of only 42.1 percent of those who had written about everyday activities.
“The biological and psychological mechanisms (机体) behind this effect remain unclear,” the researchers wrote, noting that those who had done the expressive writing did not report lower stress levels or fewer depressive symptoms than the others in the control group. Even if they weren’t consciously aware of feeling more relaxed or positive, the expressive writing appeared to have caused some sort of bodily reaction — probably involving their immune (免疫的) systems — that hastened their recovery.
1. What was the difference between the two groups of participants in the study?| A．When they wrote. | B．Where they wrote. |
| C．What they wrote about. | D．How often they wrote. |
| A．about three days | B．about ten days |
| C．about two weeks | D．about a month |
| A．speeded | B．showed | C．limited | D．ruined |
| A．Sharing with others can reduce stress |
| B．Skin biopsies are likely to cause wounds |
| C．Expressive writing heals physical wounds |
| D．Upsetting experiences impact our emotions |
2 . An earthquake is one of the most common natural disasters. It may cause great damage. So it is wise to learn some simple safety tips to protect yourself or your family members.
Fragile items like those made of glass are easily broken and should usually be placed on a lower surface, near the ground instead of placing them in the cupboards higher up. Never place them near your bed, sofas and other furniture where you would be sitting or lying down. When there is a strong movement, these pieces will fall on the floor directly and not on you.
There is a strong chance of short circuits (短路) and fire during an earthquake. Make sure you turn off electrical connections and gas immediately when an earthquake happens.
During an earthquake, lie beneath an object that is not easily damaged. Do not go near objects that could directly fall on you. Never use the elevator to go down. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries happen when people inside buildings try to go out. Use the staircases at all times.
If you are outdoors, do not take shelter under a tree, streetlights, electric poles or tall buildings. If you are driving, stop your car and stay in a safe place. Do not park your car under a tree or any tall object.
If trapped in debris (瓦砾堆), cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or the wall so that rescuers can find you. Use a whistle (哨子) if one is able to get. Never shout for help. Shouting can cause you to breathe in dangerous amounts of dust. Do not light a match(火柴) because you may burn yourself. Do not move about or kick up dust.
1. The purpose of the passage is to tell readers__________.| A．the damage caused by earthquakes | B．the rescue work after earthquakes |
| C．how to prevent earthquakes | D．what to do about earthquakes |
| A．Easily found | B．Easily broken |
| C．Expensive | D．Heavy |
| A．go out of the building at once | B．drive to a safe place quickly |
| C．take shelter under a tree | D．turn off electricity and gas immediately |
| A．shout for help aloud. |
| B．cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. |
| C．tap on a pipe or the wall hard so that rescuers can find you. |
| D．use a whistle if possible. |
