题目内容
Just five minutes of exercise a day outdoors can improve mental health, according to a study.
Researchers from the University of Essex, UK have found that a
s little as five minutes of a “green activity” such as walking, gardening, cycling or farming could help to improve mood and increase self-esteem (自信).
Many studies have shown that outdoor exercise can reduce the risk of mental illness and improve a sense of well-being, but the new study, led by Jules Pretty and Jo Barton, was the first to determine how much time needed to be spent on green exercise for the benefits to show.
Barton and Pretty looked at data from 1,252 people of different ages, genders (性别) and mental health status (情况) taken from 10 studies in Britain.
They analyzed their different outdoor activities including walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming in locations such as a park, garden or nature trail (路径).
They found that the mental health changes were seen after just five minutes. With longer periods of time exercising in a green environment, the positive effects were more apparent.
Looking at men and women of different ages, the researchers found the health changes 
were particularly strong in the young and the mentally ill.
Green and blue
A bigger effect was seen with exercise in an area that also contained water – such as a lake or river.
“This is because historically we are drawn to water to survive and it is
in our genetic (遗传的) make-up to be at one with nature,” the researchers wrote in their report.
Pretty said those who were generally inactive, or stressed, or with mental illness would probably benefit the most from “green exercise”.
“Employers, for example, could encourage staff in stressful workplaces to take a short walk at lunchtime in the nearest park to improve mental health.”
He also said exercise programs outdoors could benefit youth offenders.
【小题1】How is the study this article refers to different from other studies?
| A．It involved more people. |
| B．It took longer to finish the research. |
| C．It determined the exact amount of time needed. |
| D．It was led by just two researchers. |
| A．Just five minutes of “green exercise” daily can help improve mental health. |
| B．Gardeners and farmers do not need “green exercise”. |
| C．Walking in a park with a lake will weaken the effect. |
| D．“Green exercise” is not suitable for the mentally ill. |
| A．stressed, inactive people | B．office workers |
| C．youth offenders | D．women and children |
e main problem discussed in this article?| A．Physical well-being. | B．Outdoor exercise. |
| C．Mental illness. | D．Harmony with nature. |
【小题1】C【小题1】A【小题1】A【小题1】B
解析
阅读快车系列答案It’s 10:30 p.m. and 11-year-old Brandon Blanco is sound asleep at home. Suddenly, a loud noise wakes him up. Naturally, Brandon reaches for his cell phone. He blinks twice, and the message on the screen becomes clear: “ R U awake?”
But the late-night text does not annoy Brandon. He gets frequent messages and calls, even after bedtime. And he can’t imagine life without them. “ If I didn’t have a cell phone, I wouldn’t be able to talk to my friends or family as often,” he told TFK.
Brandon’s use of technology doesn’t stop there. He also has a computer, a TV and three video-game consoles in his room. With so many choices, it is no surprise that when he is not at school, he spends nearly every waking minute using one or more of these devices. Brandon is hardly alone. According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids aged 8 to 18 are spending more time than ever before using electronic devices. How much time? More than seven and a half hours a day on average, the study found. That’s about an hour more than just five years ago.
The jump is the result of a huge explosion in mobile devices, says Victoria Rideout, the lead author of the study. Today, nearly seven out of ten kids have cell phones. Just five years ago, it was four out of ten.
“ These devices have opened up many more opportunities for young people to use media, whether it’s on the bus, on the way to school or waiting in line at the pizza parlor,” says Rideout.
Often, kids multitask, or use more than one device at a time. “ If you’ve got a chance to do something on your computer and take a phone call and have the TV on in the background, why not?” Media expert Cheryl Olson says.
Most experts agree technology has much to offer kids. But some worry the kids could be missing out on other activities like playing outside or hanging out with friends. “ It’s a matter of balance,” says Olson. “ You’ve got to work on it.”
Multitasking while doing homework is another concern. Some kids listen to music, watch TV or use the phone while doing their homework. “It’s important to make sure that you can stop and concentrate on one thing deeply,” says Rideout.
Logan Jones, 11, of Maumelle, Arkansas, describes himself as a “game freak”. Still, he is glad not to have unlimited time with his PlayStation 2. “I’ll tell my mom I’m going to play a game, and she’ll say, ‘Okay, but only for 30 minutes,’”, Logan told TFK.
With new and exciting devices hitting stores every year, keeping technology use in check is more important than ever. “ Kids should try,” adds Rideout. “:But parents might have to step in sometimes.”
【小题1】The text is mainly about kids’ _________
| A．cell phone use | B．various hobbies |
| C．favorite video games | D．using electronic devices |
| A．Brandon feels annoyed about his late-night message. |
| B．Olson is against teenagers’ using mobile phones. |
| C．many teenagers lack friends in their middle school |
| D．kids have too many electronic devices to choose from |
| A．Watching TV while using the computer |
| B．Talking on the phone while lying on the sofa. |
| C．Playing video games after having lunch. |
| D．Listening to loud music while relaxing. |
| A．in order | B．in store | C．in sight | D．in control |
| A．do homework while watching TV |
| B．do homework in a place without disturbance |
| C．spend more time on homework |
| D．have less homework |
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。
【小题1】
Today，kids have more worries and face more pressures than ever before. Here are a few tips to help your child focus on and do well in school.
●Create a personal schedule
Recording everything that must be done on a calendar or “to do” list will help him to keep track of important dates and deadlines. If he keeps it in a visible place he will have no problem acknowledging upcoming events and will be better able to plan how and where to spend his time.
●Watch the clock
【小题2】 I also recommend setting his clock or watch five minutes ahead since it's always easy to run late. When it comes to something like catching a bus，just five minutes can make a significant difference.
●Focus
He should train himself to be able to concentrate alone on one specific task. This is much easier in a noisefree environment. No TV or radio should be on to distract him.
● 【小题3】
Lack of sleep is proven to harm us physically. The more sleep we get，the more alert we are. We thus have more energy to handle life's daily tasks. The average adult needs at least six hours of sleep a night and the average child needs at least eight.
●Stay in shape
Through spending time outdoors or playing sports with friends，he can “blow off some steam” so to speak，as well as reenergize. 【小题4】
●Talk through your problems
Be able to share his concerns with you. 【小题5】 If you make it clear that you understand him and are willing to help，not only will you contribute to his emotional health but you'll help build an open and honest relationship as well.
| A．Sharing feelings often makes them easier to deal with. |
| B．Help your child work better to realize his aim. |
| C．Setting an alarm for the morning is a must. |
| D．Get enough sleep. |
F．Encourage your child to be positive.
G．Encourage him to get outside.