Every fall, like clockwork, Linda Krentz of Beaverton, Oregon, felt her brain go on strike. “I just couldn’t get going in the morning,” she says. “I’d get depressed and gain 10 pounds every winter and lose them again in the spring.” Then she read about seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that occurs in fall and winter, and she saw the light-literally. Every morning now she turns on a specially constructed light box for half an hour and sits in front of it to trick her brain into thinking it’s still enjoying those long summer days. It seems to work.

Krentz is not alone. Scientists estimate that 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal depression and 25 million more develop milder versions. But there’s never been definitive proof that treatment with very bright lights makes a difference. After all, it’s hard to do a double-blind test when the subjects can see for themselves whether or not the light is on. That’s why nobody has ever separated the real effects of light therapy from placebo(安慰剂) effects.

Until now. In three separate studies published last month, researchers report not only that light therapy works better than a placebo but that treatment is usually more effective in the early morning than in the evening. In two of the groups, the placebo problem was resolved by telling patients they were comparing light boxes to a new anti-depressant device that emits negatively charged ions. The third used the timing of light therapy as the control.

Why does light therapy work? No one really knows. “Our research suggests it has something to do with shifting the body’s internal clock,” says psychiatrist Dr. Lewey. The body is programmed to start the day with sunrise, he explains, and this gets later as the days get shorter. But why such subtle shifts make some people depressed and not others is a mystery.

That hasn’t stopped thousands of winter depressives from trying to heal themselves. Light boxes for that purpose are available without a doctor’s prescription. That bothers psychologist Michael Terman of Columbia University. He is worried that the boxes may be tried by patients who suffer from mental illness that can’t be treated with light. Terman has developed a questionnaire to help determine whether expert care is needed.

In any event, you should choose a respectable manufacturer. Whatever product you use should emit only visible light, because ultraviolet light damages the eyes. If you are photosensitive, you may develop a rash. Otherwise, the main drawback is having to sit in front of the light for 30 to 60 minutes in the morning. That’s an inconvenience many winter depressives can live with.

1.What is the probable cause of Krentz’s problem?

A. An unexpected gain in body weight.

B. Unexplained impairment of her nervous system.

C. Weakening of her eyesight with the setting in of winter.

D. Poor adjustment of her body clock to seasonal changes.

2.By saying that Linda Krentz saw the light” (Line 4, Para. 1), the author means that she _______.

A. learned how to lose weight

B. realized what her problem was

C. came to see the importance of light

D. felt sleepy and blue

3.What is the CURRENT view concerning the treatment of seasonal depression with bright lights?

A. Its effect remains to be seen.

B. It serves as a kind of placebo.

C. It proves to be an effective therapy.

D. It hardly produces any effects.

4.What is psychologist Michael Terman’s major concern?

A. Winter depressives will be addicted to using light boxes.

B. No mental patients would bother to consult psychiatrists.

C. Inferior light boxes will emit harmful ultraviolet lights.

D. Light therapy could be beyond the tolerance of certain mental patients.

 

Many people believe that classical music has nothing to do with young people today. However, this issue frequently causes heated debate.

Some people say that classical music is associated only with old people. For example, if you look at the audience at a classical concert, the majority is over the age of fifty.

Others say it is more popular than we first imagine. Many young people listen to classical music without realizing it. It is often used in films and advertisements. For example, a famous piece of classical music was used as the theme music for the 1990 World Cup. Not many people could have given its name, but millions enjoyed it.

Also, some people point out that young people produce new music based on classical ideas: for example, it is said that rap(说唱) music was invented by a classical musician in 1912, but it is now used by young people in pop music.

However, young people point to the fact that classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. To play a classical instrument, such as a violin, you need to study hard and practice for hours. Nowadays, you don’t need to get aching arms from practicing. A teenager can write and make music using a computer program in the comfort of their own bedroom.

A final point to bear in mind is that the term "classical music" is used to refer to a great variety of music, from jazz to pieces for large orchestras. This makes it even more difficult to say whether classical music is relevant to young people.

So, it may be only a minority of young people who play classical instruments, but when it comes to enjoying classical music, it depends on the piece of music. It may be more relevant to young people in the modern world than they realize!

 

Title

Classical Music

Introduction

The issue of whether classical music is 1. ________ to young people causes heated debate.

Opinions

Evidence

★ Classical music is associated only with old people.

☆ 2.________ of the audience at a classical concert are over fifty.

★ Many young people don’t 3. ________some music they listen to is classical.

☆ Classical music is often found in films and advertisements.

★ Classical ideas provide a 4. ________ for producing new music.

☆ Young people now5.________ rap in popular music.

★Technology has put classical music at a 6. ________.

☆ A young man can write and make music on a computer 7. ________ in his bedroom.

★ “Classical music” can refer to various 8.________ of music.

☆ Classical music 9.________ from jazz to pieces for large orchestras.

Conclusion

Classical music may still be 10.________ by young people today.

 

请阅读下面短文, 并按照要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。

There is a story telling of a religious master who is said to be capable of moving mountains. A man came to him asking for a demonstration. The master sat in front of a mountain for a moment, then went to the other said of it and declared the end of the demonstration. All the audiences were greatly puzzled and begged him for an explanation. He said, “There has never been a way of moving mountains; what you can do is to go to the mountain if it doesn’t come.”

One of my friends, though with the makings of a merchant, was bent on being a painter. He resigned from office and devoted himself entirely to painting at home. Several years, however, saw no progress in this regard.

A painful retrospection bought him to his senses. He made up his mind to take up business in place of painting. It took him only a few years to become a rich businessman. Meanwhile he spent his spare time exchanging experience and skills in painting and calligraphy. His works finally won acclamation by expert painters and were on sale in art gallery and grand hotels. He had his collections published and his dream of becoming a painter came true at last.

[写作内容]

1.概括短文的内容要点,该部分的字数大约30词左右;

2.就“山不过来,我就过去”为主题,发表你的看法,至少包含以下的内容要点,该部分的字数大约120词左右。

1)根据你的生活经历,当所面对的事实无法改变时,是否应该改变自己?

2)简述一个改变自己的例子;

3)你认为有时候改变自己,才能最终改变属于自己的世界吗?

[写作要求]

你可以使用实例或其他论述方法支持你的观点,也可以参照阅读材料的内容,但不要抄袭阅读材料中的句子。

 

 

 

 

 

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