A new study has been carried to test the role of story telling in lowering blood pressure.Dr.Thomas Houston, a professor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, led a group of scientists that investigated how pre-recorded videos of hypertension (高血压) patients' talking about their medical histories helped another group of patients with high blood pressure to control their condition over several months.
Houston was surprised by their studies that suggested that communication can be a powerful tool in medicine.They showed that those who had had similar experiences, when talking to someone with a similar background, could help change their behavior to become healthier.Hypertension is difficult to control, since it is dependent on diet, exercise and mental state.Medical treatments with drugs, and lifestyle therapies(疗法) have been relatively ineffective because people find it hard to follow those medical requirements.
In the test, his team carefully chose their story-tellers from 230 members of a patients' community with whom they could most easily relate.Next, they divided their study population into two groups.One received three interactive (互动) DVDs containing the tellers' stories of their experiences in living with and treating their hypertension.The other were given educational discs on an unrelated health topic.The study volunteers reported that they had listened to the DVDs, and after three months, those who heard the stories of the hypertensive patients lowered their blood pressure.
While the study did not address how the story-telling influenced the patients' behavior, Houston suspects that watching patients of similar backgrounds who had a similar medical experience helped to motivate them to seek medical help to their hypertension.They found that after six months the difference in blood pressure between those who watched the story-tellers and those who observed the unrelated videos remained, suggesting that the story-telling continued to have an effect.
We can learn from the text that the pre-recorded videos _________.
A.tell medical histories of hypertension patients |
B.introduce some medical treatments of hypertension |
C.introduce a good lifestyle for hypertensive patients |
D.tell scientific discoveries of the scientist group |
Houston was surprised to find that _______.
A.hypertension is really difficult to control |
B.communication has some medical effects |
C.medical treatments have ![]() |
D.people don't follow the medical requirements |
Which of the following is true about the study?
A.The scientists chose 230 patients from a hospital. |
B.Both the groups used the same videos about health topic. |
C.The two groups lowered blood pressure in different degrees. |
D.The story-tellers were hypertension pat![]() |
Which of the following could be the best title of the text?
A.The stories of some hypertension patients. |
B.Medical treatments of blood pressure. |
C.Storytelling may help lower blood pressure. |
D.Suggestions about how to lower blood pressure. |
Can eating a chocolate bar every day really prevent age-related memory loss? No. But a new research shows that large amounts of flavones, substances found in cocoa, tea and some kinds of vegetables, may improve age-related memory failure.
Dr. Scott Small is a professor of neurology at Columbia University in new York City He is the lead writer of a research paper describing the effects of cocoa flavones on brain activity His study involved 37 volunteers aged between 50 and 69. Researchers gave them a high-level flavones drink made from cocoa beans or a low-level flavones drink. For a period of three months, some subjects got 900 milligrams of flavones a day. The others got 10 milligrams of flavones each day. Brain imaging and memory tests were given to each study subject before and after the study Dr. Small says that the subjects who had the high-level flavones drink showed much improvement on memorytests.
The researchers warn that more work is needed to be done because this study was performed only on a small group. Dr. Joann Manson is the lead researcher of a four .year study involving 18,000 adults. This study will use flavones capsules(胶囊) The study subjects will be divided into two groups and will take two pills per day. The capsules used will all Look the same. But one group's capsules will contain flavones, while the other group will take capsules made of an inactive substance, or placebo
Dr. Manson says it's not necessary for people to start eating more chocolate, because 3 person would have to eat a huge amount of chocolate to get the same level of flavones given to the Lest subjects. He adds many manufacturers have planned to remove the flavones from their chocolate products. Similarity, Dr. says a cocoa-based flavones extract(提取)may be developed in the future But he says that more studies are needed to see how much flavones is good for our healthWhat was done to the subjects alter Dr. Small's study?
A.They were asked to take a high-level flavones drink |
B. They were given capsules containing flavones |
C. They were given brain imaging and memory tests |
D. They were asked to take two pills of flavones capsules per day |
What's the similarity of the 2 experiments?
A.Both use high-level flavones capsules |
B.The number of the subjects is the same |
C.Drinks and placebos are used in both experiments |
D.The subjects are divided into two groups in both experiments |
Why will Dr. Manson carry out the four-year study?
A.To prove the first experiment is wrong |
B.To carry out the experiment further |
C.To test how much flavones can improve our memory. |
D.To show eating chocolate is better to improve memory. |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A.It's not necessary for us to eat chocolate |
B.The more we eat flavones, the better our health will be |
C.In the future we can get flavones without eating chocolate |
D. It's easy for people to get the same level of flavones given to the test subjects |
People in the western state of California who are in the United States illegally can now request a driver's license. The law went into effect on January l. California is not the first American state with such a law, but it has the largest number of illegal immigrants. More than a million people began to request licenses shortly after the new state law went into effect. Among them was Christian Alvarado. Mr. Alvarado entered the United States from El Salvador eight years ago without permission from the U.S. government. Some call such people "illegal immigrants." Others call them "undocumented immigrants "
Mr. Alvarado thinks is so exciting, for be has been waiting for the license for a long time. But some are worried that their personal information will be used to find them and deport them. Armando Botello is a spokesman for the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV. He says people should not be afraid, for such information will not be shared.
The new licenses are the same as licenses given to citizens except that they have the words "Federal Limits Apply". That means the license cannot be used to travel on an airplane or enter a federal building. Ana Garcia, working at the Central American Resource Center, says some illegal immigrants fear those words will be used to abuse them. Civil rights groups say the police and others
Dan Schnur , a political scientist at the University of Southern California, said that the main argument against the new law is that it rewards illegal behavior. But Professor Schnur argued that young, white Americans generally support immigration reform, including giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants
"It's simply because they grew up a much more multicultural society than their parents or their grandparents did:" Professor Schnur says he believes the changes in beliefs about illegal immigrants that have taken place in California will spread throughout the United States.Why did the new law make Mr. Alvarado excited?
A.Because he can request a driver's license. |
B.Because he became a legal immigrant of California. |
C.Because he got his driving license as an illegal immigrant. |
D.Because a law went into effect for the new immigrants. |
What is the difference of the new licenses compared to those given to citizens'?
A.The words “Federal Limits Apply” will abuse illegal immigrants |
B.They can't be used to travel on an airplane or enter a federal building. |
C.They can be used to act against the police and other people. |
D.With the words "Federal Limits Apply", immigrants can enjoy special rights. |
What's the public's attitude towards the new law released on January l in California?
A.supportive | B.negative |
C.neutral | D.Controversial |
The 115m Christmas Bird Count is officially underway. The count is an annual investigation of local and migratory(迁徙的)birds and it's organized by the National Audubon Society. From December 14 to January 5, volunteers will gather in more than 2,000 locations in North, Central and South America to count the birds in their area.
Each count takes place in a circle about 24 kilometers wide. The volunteers follow specific routes within the circle and record the number of individual birds and the different species they see there in a single day. The results are sent to the National Audubon Society and later published on Audubon's Christmas Bird Count website. The data collected during the bird count is a key source Of information for ornithologists, scientists who study birds.
This information is used to develop conservation programs to protect bird habitats and the environment /n general. Data from the bird count was also used to determine that three species-the Western screech owl, the rusty blackbird and the Newfoundland red crossbill - should be added to Canada's list of species at risk.
The annual bird count was created to protest another Christmas tradition at the very beginning .in the United States in the 19th century, people would often hold "side hunts" on Christmas Day.
Teams of hunters would compete to see who could kill the most birds or other animals that day. In December 1900, Frank Chapman, an American ornithologist, suggested that instead of hunting birds, people should count them.
Twenty-seven people in 25 locations joined in the first Christmas bird count Last year, more than 70,000 volunteers took part. This year, counts are scheduled to take place in 17 countries, ranging from the Arctic to the Antarctic, with most located in Canada and the United States .instead of taking place only on Christmas day, counts are now held on different days for different areas. How long will the 115th Christmas Bird Count last?
A.About 3 weeks. | B.A single day. |
C.About a month. | D.About 2 weeks. |
What can we know about the Christmas Bird Count from the passage?
A.It was organized monthly by the National Audubon Society. |
B.It was launched by Frank Chapman, a Canadian ornithologist. |
C.Its results can be seen on Audubon's Christmas Bird Count website. |
D.Only 25 people in 27 locations took part in the first Christmas Bird Count. |
Why was the Christmas Bird Count established at first?
A. To help the scientists who study birds carry out their study.
B To protest the Christmas tradition "side hunts" on Christmas Day.
C. To determine whether the rusty blackbirds are endangered animals.
D To protect bird habitats and the environment from being destroyedWhat is mainly talked about in Paragraph 5?
A.The brief introduction to the Christmas Bird Count |
B.The origin of the Christmas Bird Count. |
C.The purpose of the Christmas Bird Count. |
D.The rapid development of the Christmas Bird Count. |
Are you looking for some interesting and meaningful places to take your kids to? Here are some places for you to choose before they grow up:
Alaska
Not to sound cool, but “it's a good chance to experience a trip through the icebergs. There are over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, more than anywhere else in the world combined. You can also spot whales and other wildlife, visit the famous Denali National Park, enjoy the landscapes and even learn about the roughly 20 different native languages Spoken there
New York City
You definitely don't want to be chasing after your shopaholic teens in Manhattan, so plan your trip to the Big Apple when the kids are still young enough to enjoy the family-friendly trips! There are several family-friendly Broadway shows to see. You can also bring them for a walk in Central Park, pay a visit to the giant M&M'S store in Times Square, take a City Sightseeing Cruise, get on a boat to see the Statue of Liberty, visit the Brooklyn Children's Museum, and even enjoy a yummy street hot dog
Cape Canaveral
There are few things m the world as cool as rockets that fly to the outer space, so obviously ,a visit to Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Centre is one of the coolest trips you can you’re your children on. Though you won't see any more launches from this space station and its retired rockets, you can find out what it feels like to be in the Shuttle Launch Experience flight simulator Plus, it's only one hour away from Orlando, Florida, so if you visit Disney World as well, this quick side trip will be an easy one to make.
The Canadian Rockies
If you happen to visit the Canadian portion of the nor them Rocky Mountains, a visit to Banff National Park will certainly not disappoint you. There are so many great activities for the whole family to enjoy like wildlife viewing, spaceflight tours, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking. Let your children experience the beauty of the Canadian Rockies and learn more about the history of this impressive UNESCO World Heritage site. If a child wants to experience something related to spaceflight, where can he go?
A.Alaska and New York City. |
B.Alaska and Cape Canaveral. |
C.Cape Canaveral and the Canadian Rockies. |
D.New York city and Cape Canaveral. |
What can children do if they go to Alaska?
A.See the Statue of Liberty and enjoy Broadway shows. |
B.Visit Disney World and see some retired rockets. |
C.Learn the history of a UNESCO world Heritage site and enjoy horse riding. |
D.Learn some native languages and experience a trip through the icebergs. |
What does the underlined word "the Big Apple" mean in the passage?
A.New York City | B.Manhattan |
C.Broadway | D.Times Square |
What type of writing is this text?
A.An exhibition guide. | B.A travelling brochure. |
C.An announcement. | D.An art show review. |
Can eating a chocolate bar every day really prevent age-related memory loss? No. But a new research shows that large amounts of flavones, substances found in cocoa, tea and some kinds of vegetables, may improve age-related memory failure.
Dr. Scott Small is a professor of neurology at Columbia University in new York City He is the lead writer of a research paper describing the effects of cocoa flavones on brain activity His study involved 37 volunteers aged between 50 and 69. Researchers gave them a high-level flavones drink made from cocoa beans or a low-level flavones drink. For a period of three months, some subjects got 900 milligrams of flavones a day. The others got 10 milligrams of flavones each day. Brain imaging and memory tests were given to each study subject before and after the study Dr. Small says that the subjects who had the high-level flavones drink showed much improvement on memorytests.
The researchers warn that more work is needed to be done because this study was performed only on a small group. Dr. Joann Manson is the lead researcher of a four .year study involving 18,000 adults. This study will use flavones capsules(胶囊) The study subjects will be divided into two groups and will take two pills per day. The capsules used will all Look the same. But one group's capsules will contain flavones, while the other group will take capsules made of an inactive substance, or placebo
Dr. Manson says it's not necessary for people to start eating more chocolate, because 3 person would have to eat a huge amount of chocolate to get the same level of flavones given to the Lest subjects. He adds many manufacturers have planned to remove the flavones from their chocolate products. Similarity, Dr. says a cocoa-based flavones extract(提取)may be developed in the future But he says that more studies are needed to see how much flavones is good for our healthWhat was done to the subjects alter Dr. Small's study?
A.They were asked to take a high-level flavones drink |
B. They were given capsules containing flavones |
C. They were given brain imaging and memory tests |
D. They were asked to take two pills of flavones capsules per day |
What's the similarity of the 2 experiments?
A.Both use high-level flavones capsules |
B.The number of the subjects is the same |
C.Drinks and placebos are used in both experiments |
D.The subjects are divided into two groups in both experiments |
Why will Dr. Manson carry out the four-year study?
A.To prove the first experiment is wrong |
B.To carry out the experiment further |
C.To test how much flavones can improve our memory. |
D.To show eating chocolate is better to improve memory. |
What can we learn from the last paragraph?
A.It's not necessary for us to eat chocolate |
B.The more we eat flavones, the better our health will be |
C.In the future we can get flavones without eating chocolate |
D. It's easy for people to get the same level of flavones given to the test subjects |