1 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box.   Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. backfire B. compensate          C. extend   D. impressive       E. meaningful F. measure G. needle   H. overall   I. perceive J. punishment   K. typically

Why You Shouldn’t Exercise to Lose Weight

Many of us are lacing up our sneakers and starting (or restarting) exercise regimens (练身计划) in hopes of shedding unwanted pounds. Unquestionably, aiming to be more active is good. But if the main reason is to lose weight, your New Year’s resolution could very well     1    .

For starters, exercise — at least the kind most of us do — is     2     ineffective for weight loss. Take walking, for example. A 150-pound person who walks briskly for 30 minutes will burn, on average, around 140 calories. That’s equal to one can of soda — not exactly a great return on your investment of time and effort. It’s much easier just to skip the soda.

Studies     3     show that doing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise such as walking for 30 minutes a day, five days a week — the amount recommended for good health — typically produces little or no weight loss by itself.

When moderate exercise is added to diet, the results are equally not     4    . Pooling data from six trials, researchers found that a combination of diet and exercise generated no greater weight loss than diet alone after six months.

In studies where exercise has produced     5     weight loss, participants burned at least 400 to 500 calories per session on five or more days a week. To achieve that, sessions need to go well beyond what most of us are willing or able to do. And even if we manage to exert that much effort, our bodies often     6     by boosting appetite and dialing down metabolism, effects that over time limit how many pounds we shed.

Perhaps the biggest problem with exercising to drop pounds is that it turns physical activity into     7    . How many times have you heard someone say (or said yourself) “I’ll need to do extra exercise” after eating too much during the holidays or at a celebratory dinner?

The point is that we’re more likely to     8     exercise positively and actually do it when we focus on our well-being rather than our weight. The incentive may be an improved mood or less stress. Others may find that exercise makes them feel physically and mentally stronger.

Of course, the benefits of physical activity     9     well beyond these. It’s been shown to reduce the risk of multiple diseases. It can also improve sleep and boost energy.

By all means, striving to exercise regularly in the new year is perhaps the most important thing you can do for your health. But to improve the odds of success, focus on how movement helps you feel better physically and emotionally — and forget about how it moves the     10     on the scale.

4 . Lose Weight in a Healthy Way

If you’re not fat, don’t lose weight. If obesity affects your health, you can lose weight in a healthy way. Hundreds of weight-loss programs promise quick and easy weight loss. However, the foundation of successful weight loss remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with increased physical activity.     1     Consider the following for weight-loss success.

●Make sure you’re ready.     2     So first you should make sure you’re ready to make permanent changes to eating and activity habits. Talk to your doctor if you need help address stressors or emotions that seem like barriers to your readiness. When you’re ready, you’ll find it easier to set goals, keep trying, stay committed and change habits.

●    3     No one else can make you lose weight. You are responsible for your own behavior for successful weight loss. What’s going to give you the burning drive to stick to your weight-loss plan? Make a list of what’s important to you to help you stay motivated and focused.

●Set realistic goals. It may seem obvious to set realistic weight-loss goals. But do you really know what’s realistic? Set a goal of losing a little weight at a time.     4     Generally, you can achieve the goal through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.

●Enjoy healthy foods. Adopting a new eating style that promotes weight loss must include lowering your total calorie intake.     5     One way you can lower your calorie intake is by eating more plant-based foods—fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without quitting flavour or nutrition.

A．Do it gradually.

B．But how can you make it?

C．Find your inner motivation.

D．Focus on your weight-loss goals.

E．But it does not mean giving up taste.

F．You should always keep your previous lifestyle.

G．Long-term weight loss takes time, effort and commitment.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How much did the man weigh two months ago?

A．About 150 pounds.

B．About 160 pounds.

C．About 170 pounds.

2. How did the woman know how to lose weight?

A．From a book.

B．From a friend.

C．From a cook.

3. What does the man plan to do?

A．Change his diet.

B．Learn about an author.

C．Start to exercise regularly.

7 . Many think 2024 could be the year more people have the tools to follow through on New Year’s resolutions about weight loss. If they can afford them and manage to stick with them, people can turn to a new generation of remarkably effective weight-loss drugs, also called GLP-1s, which offer the potential for substantial weight loss.

Wegovy, which was approved in 2021, and Zepbound, which got the nod from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023, are the most effective publicly available weight-loss drugs ever made. Wegovy has been shown to help people shed as much as 16% of their body weight, in combination with exercise and diet. Zepbound’s highest dose, along with lifestyle changes, has helped people lose as much as 27% of their body weight over 18 months.

Although long-term data isn’t available, these drugs appear to be the safest to date. A large number of people suffer from gastrointestinal distress (肠胃不适) on the medications, including vomiting, nausea and diarrhea; but more serious side effects, like those previous weight-loss drugs, have been rare. Wegovy also appears to reduce the risk of a repeating heart attack or stroke for people with pre-existing disease.

So far, both drugs have been hard for patients to access. Suppliers have had trouble making enough of the medicines to meet the skyrocketing demand. And insurance companies haven’t covered the cost of the drugs, which can run from about $1,000 to over $1,300 a month.

Paying for them should become easier in 2024, as supplies rise up and insurance companies could bow to market pressure and cover more of the cost.

Also in the new year, there are more GLP-1 drugs on the way and in more forms. Both Wegovy and Zepbound are delivered as weekly shots. Pill versions are under development as are other medications, some of which could help people lose even more weight.

There’s a major unknown factor with these drugs, which could become better understood in the coming years. Experts can’t say if people will be able to keep the weight off if they don’t make lifestyle changes and stop taking the drugs.

1. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The side effects of the two drugs.	B．The safety of the two drugs.
C．The advantages of the two drugs.	D．The doubt about the two drugs.

2. Which is the reason for the shortage of the two drugs?

A．The technology to make the medicines is not mature.

B．They are expensive, sold at around $1,000 for each shot.

C．They are not currently included in the medical insurance.

D．There are no pill versions of the two drugs on the market.

3. Which statement about GLP-1 drugs is correct?

A．They are mainly injected into patients at present.

B．They can effectively reduce weight by 27% per year.

C．The doubt about the drugs will be cleared in the coming year.

D．The drugs will substantially solve the weight issue once and for all.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the development of GLP-1 drugs?

A．Doubtful.

B．Critical.

C．Objective.

D．Hopeful.

8 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the best way to lose weight safely?

A．A slow way.

B．A fast way.

C．A simple way.

2. Why should we stay away from fast food and repacked food?

A．Because they are not fresh.

B．Because they are not delicious.

C．Because they are high in fat and salt.

3. How many suggestions on losing weight slowly are mentioned in the passage?

A．2.

B．3.

C．4.

4. Why shouldn’t we take diet pills?

A．Because it is harmful to your health.

B．Because it is slow.

C．Because it doesn’t have any effect.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What was thought to be harmful to people’s health?

A．Salty food.

B．Sugary food.

C．Fatty food.

2. What should one do to follow the Atkins diet?

A．Limit carbs (碳水化合物).

B．Avoid meat.

C．Control food intake.

3. Who should avoid the Atkins diet?

A．Overweight teenagers.

B．Sick people.

C．People with poor appetite.