Vending machines (投币式自动售货机) are found in 16% of U.S.elementary schools, 52% of middle schools and 88% of high schools.About 22% of students in grades 1 through 12 buy food in vending machines each day—and those purchases added an average of 253 calories to their diets, according to a new study in the September issue of the Journal of School Health.
Just to be clear, those were not 253 calories' worth of tofu, yogurt or carrot.The most popular vending machine items included soft drinks, candy, chips, crackers, cookies, cakes and ice cream.On the plus side (好的方面), kids also bought low-fat milk, fruit juice and even fruit, the study found.
But the eventual effect on kids' diets was not good.Those who bought from vending machines ate an average of 156 grams of sugar per day, compared with 146 grams for those who abstained (节制).They also consumed less fiber, iron and vitamin B.
One silver lining: Vending machine customers ate 4% less sodium (钠) than other students--an average of 3,287 milligrams per day compared with 3,436 mg for those who didn't buy from vending machines.That's probably because the extra snacks made kids too full to eat as much at mealtimes, when dishes are especially Salty.In any event, kids should eat no more than 1,200 to 1,500 mg of sodium each day, according to the Mayo Clinic.Even for adults, the government recommends a daily limit of 2,300 mg.
Overall, vending machines in school appear to be a threat to children's health.The researchers calculated that all that snacking adds up to about14 extra pounds per child per school year.For some students this might be a serious contributor to weight issues.The study was based on data collected from 2,309 children nationwide for the third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study, which was
conducted by the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.The students using vending machines take in less of all the following EXCEPT .
A.sugar | B.fiber | C.vitamin | D.iron |
The underlined words “One silver lining” mean “ ”.
A.a discouraging condition at present |
B.a bright side of a difficult situation |
C.an urgent warning from health experts |
D.an increasing concern from the public |
Why do kids buying food from vending machines take less salt probably?
A.They prefer less salty food. |
B.They have formed healthy eating habits. |
C.They eat less food at mealtimes. |
D.They take less junk food as snacks. |
What's the purpose of the text?
A.To teach children a balanced diet. |
B.To introduce the finding of a new study. |
C.To remind parents of children's health. |
D.To tell the history of vending machines. |
No country in the world has more daily newspapers than the USA. There are almost 2,000 of them, as compared with 180 in Japan, 164 in Argentina and 111 in Britain. The quality of some American papers is extremely high and their views are quoted all over the world. Famous dailies like the Washington Post or the New York Times have a powerful influence all over the country. However, they are not national newspapers in the sense that The Times is in Britain or Le Monde is in France, since each American city has its own daily newspaper. The best of these present detailed description of national and international news, but many tend to limit themselves to state or city news.
Like the press in most other countries, American newspapers range from the “sensational” which feature crime and gossip(闲谈), to the “serious”, which focus on factual news and the analysis of world events. But with few exceptions, American newspapers try to entertain as well as give information, for they have to compete with the attraction of television.
Just as American newspapers satisfy all tastes, so do they also try to attract readers of all political parties. A few newspapers support extremist(极端主义的) groups on the far right and on the far left, but most daily newspapers try to attract middle-of-the-road Americans who are moderate(中立的). Many of these papers print columns by well-known journalists of different political and social views, in order to present a balanced picture.
As in other countries, American newspapers can be either responsible or irresponsible, but it is generally accepted that the American press serves its country well and that it has more than once courageously exposed political scandals(丑闻) or crimes, for instance, the Watergate Affair(水门事件). The Newspapers drew the attention of the public to the horrors of the Vietnam War.There are fewer national newspapers in .
A. Britain than in the USA. B. France than in Britain
C. the USA than in Britain or France
D. France than in the USA or BritainMost American newspapers try hard to entertain their readers because
.
A.they have to keep up a good relation with them |
B.they have to compete with television |
C.they have to write about crime and gossip |
D.they have to give factual news in an interesting way |
Many American newspapers attract readers of different political preference by .
A.supporting extremist groups from time to time |
B.inviting middle-of-the-road Americans to write articles for them |
C.avoiding carrying articles about extremists |
D.printing articles representing different political viewpoints |
The passage is mainly about .
A.the characteristics of American newspapers |
B.the development of American newspapers |
C.the functions of American newspapers |
D.the advantages and disadvantages of American newspapers |
UNICEF is appealing for more than one billion dollars in aid for women and children around the world.The United Nations Children's Fund has released its " Humanitarian Action Report" for two thousand ten. The report lists twenty -eight countries and territories with some of the world's most pressing crisis affecting women and children.
Haiti was considered to be in crisis long before the earthquake in January.The deputy executive director of UNICEF, Hilde Johnson, says the quake has only made the need for aid more immediate.But she says children all over the world have the right to the same assistance as children everywhere else.
The "Humanitarian Action Report" discusses several issues that UNICEF says increasingly threaten the basic rights of women and children.It says climate change has caused droughts and' food insecurity in many areas.High food prices and the global financial crisis of two thousand eight - two thousand nine have only added to poverty and malnutrition (营养不良).And armed conflict continues to threaten the lives of millions.
Hilde Johnson says children are always the most affected by conflicts and disasters.They face an increased risk of abuse, including sexual violence and other serious rights violations (侵犯).
UNICEF deals with about two hundred emergencies around the world every year.The greatest need last year was in sub - Saharan Africa.The report says drought, food insecurity and civil unrest affected about twenty - four million p
eople.
Violence and displacements(驱逐)of people were especially bad in Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
In Asia, UNICEF expects its financial assistance needs to more than double this year.This is partly the result of adding Pakistan and the Philippines to the latest report.In Pakistan, it says, more than two million people have been forced from their homes by the conflict in the.Swat Valley and other areas of the northwest.And in the Philippines, more than two hundred thousand people are still living in shelters after severe storms last year.
This years UNICEF report talks about the value of public and private partnerships in helping children and families in emergencies.
And thats the VOA Special English Development Report, written by June Simms.For a link to the UNICEF report listing the twenty - eight countries and territories in crisis, go to www.unsv.com.I'm Steve Ember.According to Hilde Johnson, the most easily affected persons suffering from conflicts and disasters are __________.
A.women | B.children | C.the old | D.the disabled |
From this passage we know that the most serious problems in Asia are __________.
A.earthquakes and malnutrition |
B.displacements and storms |
C.sexual violence and other rights violations |
D.droughts and food insecurity |
Which of the following might serve as a suitable title for this passage?
A.Haiti was in crisis due to the earthquake in January |
B.Violence in the twenty -eight countries and territories |
C.UNICEF Appeals for Aid for Women and Children |
D.the value of public and private partnerships in helping |
Here’ s an unusual story: a diamond ring
was recently found in an egg. The
magician, Liu Qian, discovered it, in front
of an audience of millions at CCTV’ s Spring
Festival Gala. Liu’ s magic tricks have made the centuries-old art of magic fashionable once again, and made him the hottest magician in China.
As a seasoned young magician from Taiwan, Liu is popular worldwide for his magic shows. Countries he has performed in include the U
nited States, Japan, South Korea and the UK.
Witnessing something impossible happen right before your eyes is the root of people’ s love for magic.
Liu is known for his interaction(互动)with his audiences. He has a unique understanding of showmanship(演出技巧).
“It’ s actually thinking rather than one’ s manipulation(操作)skills; that is more important to achieving a successful magic show. We think carefully about how to design the shows creatively, to make them appear more interesting. ”Liu said.
Liu Qian’ s success dated back to his childhood. Born in 1976 in Taiwan, he found himself attracted to a magic toy in a shop when he was seven years old. At the age of 12, he won Taiwan’ s Youth Magic Contest, which was judged by the great American magician, David Copperfield.
Yet, Liu never planned on becoming a professional magician. He studied Japanese literature at university and only hoped to be an amateur (业余的) magician in his spare time. However, his failure to find a proper job after graduation pushed him towards magic as a career.
To refine his performing skills, he has performed on streets, roads and fields for passers-by, policemen and farmers.
“Street shows are the biggest challenge for us magicians. We have to deal with unexpected situations and tough crowds, ” Liu said. What does the underlined word “seasoned ” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A.季节性的 | B.刚出道的 | C.老练的 | D.职业的 |
The story is about_____.
A.how Liu Qian became China’ s hottest magician |
B.why people love magic |
C.what magic tricks are |
D.how![]() |
People love to watch magic because_____.
A.they can’ t figure out the secret of magic |
B.it arouses their curiosity |
C.they love watching magicians make the impossible happen |
D.it is a centuries-old art |
Which of the following is the key reason that Liu Qian decided to make magic his career?
A.He was interested in magic when he was little. |
B.He had won Taiwan’ s Youth Magic Contest. |
C.He became an amateur magician in his spare time. |
D.He couldn’ t find an acceptable job after graduation |
From the story we know that______.
A.Liu Qian competed in many magic competitions |
B.Liu Qian often invites audiences to be in his magic show |
C.Liu Qian performs on streets in order to increase his fame |
D.Liu Qian does street show to make money |
In my profession as an educator and health care provider, I have worked with numerous children infected with the virus that causes AIDS.The relationships that I have had with these special kids have been gifts in my life.They have taught me so many things, but I have especially learned that great courage can be found in the smallest of packages. Let me tell you about Tyler.
Tyler was born infected with HIV: his mother was also infected.From the very beginning of his life, he was dependent on medications to enable him to survive.When he was five, he had a tube surgically inserted in a vein in his chest.This tube was connected to a pump, which he carried in a small backpack on his back.Medications were hooked up to this pump and were continuously supplied through this tube to his bloodstream.At times, he also needed supplemented oxygen to support his breathing.
Tyler wasn’t willing to give up one single moment of his childhood to this deadly disease.It was not unusual to find him playing and racing around his backyard, wearing his medicine - laden backpack and dragging his tank of oxygen behind him in his little wagon.All of us who knew Tyler marveled at his pure joy in being alive and the energy it gave him.Tyler’s mom often teased him by telling him that he moved so fast she needed to dress him in red.That way, when she peered through the window to check on him playing in the yard, she could quickly spot him.
This dreaded(可怕的) disease eventually wore down even the likes of a little dynamo like Tyler.He grew quite ill and, unfortunately, so did his HIV - infected mother.When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to survive, Tyler’s mom talked to him about death.She comforted him by telling Tyler that she was dying too, and that she would be with him soon in heaven.
A few days before his death, Tyler beckoned me over to his hospital bed and whispered, " I might die soon.I’m not scared.When I die, please dress me in red.Mom promised she’s coming to heaven, too.I’ll be playing when she gets there, and I want to make sure she can find me."
his HIV - infected mother.When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to survive, Tyler’s mom talked to him about death.She comforted him by telling Tyler that she was dying too, and that she would be with him soon in heaven.
A few days before his death, Tyler beckoned me over to his hospital bed and whispered, " I might die soon.I’m not scared.When I die, please dress me in red.Mom promised she’s coming to heaven, too.I’ll be playing when she gets there, and I want to make sure she can find me."What is the boy Tyler's attitude towards death?
A.pessimistic(悲观的). | B.optimistic. | C.sorrowful. | D.fearful. |
Tyler requested the writer to dress him in red when he died simply because___________.
A.red is a lucky color | B.red might help to cure him |
C.his mom could spot him easily | D.he could find more mates by wearing red |
Which of the following might serve as a possible title for this passage?
A.My unusual profession. | B.A caring mother. |
C.Mother and son. | D.Dying in red. |
The underlined word dynamo in the fourth paragraph here means ________________.
A.a promising and helpful youth |
B.an extremely energetic person |
C.a rare and beautiful flower |
D.a magic and understanding superstar |
A dog sheltered a newborn baby abandoned by its 14-year-old mother in a field in rural Argentina until the boy was rescued, a doctor said on August 22 (Friday).
A resident of a rural area outside La Plata called police late Wednesday night to say that he had heard the baby crying in a field behind his house.
The man went outside and found the infant lying beside the dog and its six newborn puppies, Daniel Salcedo, chief of police of the Province of Buenos Aires, told CNN.
The temperature was a chilly(寒冷的) 37 degrees, Salcedo said.
The dog had apparently carried the baby some 50 meters from where his mother had abandoned him to where the puppies were huddled, police said.
“She took it like a puppy and rescued it,” Salcedo said. “The doctors told us if she hadn’t done this, he would have died.”
“The dog is a hero to us.”
Dr. Egidio Melia, director of the Melchor Romero Hospital in La Plata, told CNN that police showed up at the hospital at 11:30 pm Wednesday with the baby who doctors say was only a few hours old.
Though the infant had superficial scratches (抓痕) and bruises (伤痕) and was bleeding from his mouth, he was in good shape, Melia said.
The next morning, the child’s mother was driven by a neighbor to the hospital and told authorities the 8-pound, 13-ounce infant is hers, Melia said.
The teenager was immediately give psychological treatment and was hospitalized, he said. She has said little about the incident.
The child has been transferred to a children’s hospital in La Plata, 37 miles from Buenos Aires.What does the underlined word “sheltered” in the first paragraph mean?
A.protected | B.fed | C.watched | D.gave |
According to the passage , which statement is true?
A.It’s hard for the infant to recover soon. |
B.The puppies were running here and there all the time |
C.The temperature was very high at that time. |
D.But for the mother do![]() |
How was the baby when he was found?
A.He was seriously ill. | B.He was dying. |
C.He was in good shape. | D.He lost a lot of blood. |
What’s the text mainly about?
A.A baby was rescued by a dog. |
B.A baby was abandoned by its parents. |
C.How an abandoned baby was saved by doctors. |
D.Dogs are heroes to human beings. |