题目内容
228. Now more and more people prefer to have a ______ at home --- a little dog, a cat or some other animals.
A. habit B. hobby C. parrot D. Pet
D
UK
Attention, Harry Potter fans: The sixth novel in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter stories, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood, will go on sale in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia on July 16, 2005
Italy
According to a recent study, there are now more dogs and cats in Italian homes than children. There are at least 14.5 million dogs cats in Italian homes compared with 8.7 million children under the age of 15.Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. A psychologist said that pets were loved by many young Italians who could not have or did not want to have children. In Italy, spending on pets has increased by 20 percent in the past five years.
US
The start of a new years is time when many Americans like to think about ways to make improvements for the future. But this year, instead of the usually New Year’s resolution(决心) to lose weight, quit smoking or exercise more, the US Department of Homeland Security is urging Americans to create a family emergency plan for any terror attack.
France & Iraq
The two French journalists who had been held hostage(扣为人质) in Iraq for 124 days were freed last week. Christian Chesnot, 37 and Georges Malbunot, 41, were kidnapped along with their Iraqi driver on Aug, 20 in Iraq. French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, said that the French government had not paid ransom(赎金) for their release.
【小题1】From the news above we know that health is usually most being talked about in _________
A.UK | B.Italy | C.US | D.France |
A.society, life, politics, business | B.life, society, business, politics |
C.business, society, life, politics | D.business, politics, society, life |
A.The Lowest Birth Rates | B.More Pets Than Children |
C.Great Change On Money Spending | D.A scientific Research Report |
A.August 20 | B.April 18 | C.May 17 | D.April 16 |
A newly-published study has shown that loneliness can spread from one person to another, like a disease. Researchers used information from the Framingham Study, which began in 1948. The Framingham Study gathers information about physical and mental health, personal behavior and diet. At first, the study involved about 5,000 people in the American state of Massachusetts. Now, more than 12,000 individuals are taking part.
Information from the Framingham Study showed earlier that happiness can spread from person to person. So can behaviors like littering and the ability to stop smoking.
University of Chicago psychologist John Cacioppo led the recent study. He and other researchers attempted to show how often people felt lonely. They found that the feeling of loneliness spread through social groups.
Having a social connection with a lonely person increased the chances that another individual would feel lonely. In fact, a friend of a lonely person was 52% more likely to develop feelings of loneliness. A friend of that person was 25% more likely. The researchers say this shows that a person could indirectly be affected by someone’s loneliness.
The effect was strongest among friends. Neighbors were the second most affected group. The effect was weaker on husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters. The researchers also found that loneliness spread more easily among women than men.
The New York Times newspaper reports that, on average, people experience feelings of loneliness about 48 days a year. It also found that every additional friend can decrease loneliness by about five percent, or two and a half fewer lonely days.
Loneliness has been linked to health problems like depression and sleeping difficulties. The researchers believe that knowing the causes of loneliness could help in reducing it.
The study suggests that people can take steps to stop the spread of loneliness. They can do this by helping individuals they know who may be experiencing loneliness. The result can be helpful to the whole social group.
【小题1】What is TRUE about the Framingham Study?
A.It was only conducted in 1948. |
B.It involves more than 12,000 participants. |
C.It was led by John Cacioppo. |
D.It showed that any behavior could spread. |
A.The spreading effect was the second strongest among friends. |
B.No spreading effect was found on husbands and wives. |
C.Women are more likely to be affected than men. |
D.Brothers are more easily affected than neighbors. |
A.Actions should be taken to help lonely people. |
B.People feel lonely for many reasons. |
C.Ways to fight against loneliness. |
D.Lonely people can affect others. |