Glaucoma(青光眼)is a major cause of blindness around the world, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization says glaucoma is a greater public health challenge than cataracts(白内障), because the blindness caused by the latter can be cured after operations.
Glaucoma is a disease that makes people around the world lose their sight, and they usually don’t even know they have the disease until it has permanently destroyed at least 40 percent of their sight. The process is usually so painless and subtle(不明显的), so people don't notice it. Actually, the simplest medical test can discover it.
“It is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. In Hispanics and in African-Americans, it’s the second leading cause of blindness and so is the case in the Chinese and Indians.” said Dr. Alan Robin, a specialist in treating glaucoma. “The glaucoma we see in sub-Saharan Africa is a much more aggressive blinding disease than the glaucoma we see in Americans or even African- Americans in-the United States.” he said. .
Dr. Eric Fleischer also sees these differences at Medstar Washington Hospital Center. “Pretty much anybody who has ancestors in Africa has an increased chance of developing glaucoma.” Age is another thing that may lead to glaucoma, although people of all ages can get it.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that commonly produce pressure in the eye. An eye is sort of like a watch. And behind the face of the watch, liquid is made. It goes through your pupil(瞳孔)and into the front of the watch between the face and the crystal.There's an area around the edge of the watch that drains(使排出)the liquid. When that drain is blocked, the liquid can't leave the eye as fast as it is produced. The rising pressure within the eye damages and eventually kills the optic(视觉的) nerve. The result is blindness.
Fortunately, if caught early, glaucoma can be controlled. Glaucoma is not curable. But as researchers worldwide lean more about it, they grow more hopeful that glaucoma can one day be cured or even prevented.
【小题1】In which country is glaucoma the biggest danger to people’s sight?
| A.In China | B.In India | C.In the USA | D.In Japan |
| A.The differences in regions(地区) | B.The cultural differences |
| C.The differences in age | D.The physical differences |
| A.It is hard for medical tests to discover glaucoma |
| B.People in developed countries hardly develop glaucoma |
| C.Glaucoma only causes blindness among old people |
| D.The research on glaucoma is still going on worldwide |
If you are having trouble falling asleep, you are in good company. About 65% of Americans said they have sleeping problems a few nights each week, according to a recent study by the National Sleep Foundation. Sleeping too little can lead to a higher risk of becoming fat and getting depressed(沮丧的). But before you go to a doctor for advice, you’d better examine your sleeping habits one more time. Some of your favorite evening habits may have something to do with the sleeping problems.
1. Setting a Bright Alarm Clock.
The light of your bright alarm clock can prevent you from falling asleep. You can make your room as dark as possible. Cover the bright numbers with a book or consider buying a small travel clock. Your cellphone alarm may also do the trick.
2. Counting Sheep
When you just can’t fall asleep, it’s useless to stay in bed to count sheep. If you’ve been trying to fall asleep for more than 30 minutes, the National Sleep Foundation suggests you get up to do some reading or watch TV for a while. Such activities will make you sleepy. Before you know it, you’ll be going back to bed really tired.
3. Exercising Late at Night
Daytime workouts(锻炼) will keep you full of energy for hours. That’s why you don’t want to exercise within three hours of hitting the sack. Fierce(剧烈的)physical activity raise your body temperature and pumps your energy level—both are bad for a good night’s sleep.
【小题1】 What can we learn from the first sentence of the passage?
| A.It’s not good to fail to fall asleep at night. |
| B.People in a good company often have sleeping problems. |
| C.There are many people who have sleeping problems. |
| D.You should find someone to talk to if you can’t fall asleep. |
| A.going back home | B.going to bed |
| C.going to the gym | D.falling asleep |
| A.The bad results of getting too little sleep. |
| B.Why the bright alarm clock keeps you awake. |
| C.What to do if you can’t fall asleep after 30 minutes. |
| D.Why watching TV and reading books make people sleepy. |
| A.why so many people can’t sleep well at night |
| B.how to enjoy a good night’s sleep |
| C.that sleeping problems are troubling more and more people |
| D.that people may solve their sleeping problems by some habits |
It is common to have difficulties sleeping during the day. Humans are naturally wired to sleep best at night and be awake during the day. However, modern work schedules require some people to try to accommodate the unnatural schedule of shift(轮班)work — being awake at night and sleeping during the day.
In order to make this adjustment, you need to pay special attention to your sleep environment and your preparation for sleep. If shift work is a necessary part of your work life, here are some suggestions that may help.
Arrange to sleep uninterrupted in a quiet, dark room. This means you may have to turn off or unplug your phone, hang darkening curtains on the windows or wear a sleep eye mask, and train your family and friends to leave you alone while you sleep.
Fit in a nap(小睡). When your daytime sleep period is too short, taking a short nap of less than 30 minutes just before work or on a break has been shown to improve alertness and enhance performance.
Develop and follow a sleep routine. It's best if you go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Try not to vary this too much on weekends. Your body likes routine.
Take extra care to make healthy choices. You may be tempted to reach for unhealthy foods or nicotine to stay awake or alcohol to try to sleep. But ultimately these choices are more harmful than helpful.
If you have tried all these things and are still having problems getting enough quality sleep during the day, talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist. Sometimes medications(药物治疗)may be helpful and safe. In other cases, there may be an underlying sleep disorder that needs to be addressed.
【小题1】The purpose of the text is to .
| A.persuade workers to have a god sleep. |
| B.advise night workers to keep healthy |
| C.encourage workers to do day work |
| D.help night workers to sleep well |
| A.A suitable account of alcohol to help sleep. |
| B.A regular life on weekday’s and weekends. |
| C.A dark room without phoebes to sleep in. |
| D.A break for sleeping anytime during the day. |
| A.If he suffers from a sleep disorder for the first time. |
| B.If a good sleep environment is greatly needed for him. |
| C.If he falls to get quality sleep through his own efforts. |
| D.If he has the problem of bailing to sleep in the daytime. |
| A.night workers need a long time to fall asleep |
| B.constant breaks at work help to improve performance |
| C.it is difficult to create a good sleep environment |
| D.night work requires people to adjust their body clocks |
The smell of fresh air is becoming something of a distant memory, thanks to our increasing use of fragrance (香气). From air fresheners to scented (有香味的) candles, we live in a world of scent.
Recent figures show seven in ten people use air fresheners or scented candles to keep our homes smelling sweet. Yet recent records suggest that perfumed products could affect our health, causing problems including allergies (过敏), headaches and asthma (哮喘) .
One leading expert believes nearly a third of people suffer health effects from being exposed to scents. A major problem is so-called “contact” allergy—where perfumes and scented products cause eczema (湿疹) when they come into contact with the skin. About one in 20 is thought to be affected by fragrance allergy.
“Often it may not be immediately obvious that you have developed a fragrance allergy,” says Dr. Baron. “You don’t react immediately. Gradually, as you are exposed more and more, the body increases its reaction, until it becomes noticeable to you.”
People with pre-existing eczema are particularly vulnerable (易受影响). “The eczema worsens in areas in contact with perfumes,” says Dr. Baron. “But even those without allergies can be at risk of fragrance allergy.” You can become suddenly allergic to perfumes and personal care products that you have been using for years. “Even if you know which fragrance causes a problem, it can be difficult to avoid, as most personal care products –soap, shampoo, sun cream and washing powder—contain fragrances,” says Dr. Baron.
And strong scents can also cause headaches. Fragrances activate the nose’s nerve cells, stimulating the nerve system associated with head pain. To minimize risk, sufferers are advised to minimize the contact.
“Fragrance suggest cleanliness – yet people are smelling a potentially dangerous chemical mixture,” says Anne Steinemann, professor of the University of Washington. “We often use them to mask one problem – as with air fresheners – but create a greater one – adding poisonous chemicals to the air.”
【小题1】What is the text mainly about?
| A.The world trend of using fragrance. |
| B.The benefits of using non-fragranced products. |
| C.The health problems caused by fragrance |
| D.The ways of removing allergy. |
| A.our bodies have an immediate reaction to fragrance. |
| B.seven in ten have suffered fragrance allergy. |
| C.fragrance can affect people who don’t have allergy |
| D.people can avoid contacting with fragrance easily |
| A.Which products contain fragrance? |
| B.What’s the influence of fragrance in the air? |
| C.What are the air fresheners made up of? |
| D.How are headaches caused by fragrance? |
| A.the asthma caused by strong scents. |
| B.people’s efforts to protect fresh air. |
| C.the methods of curing eczema |
| D.the bad effects of air fresheners. |
Research has shown that music has an important effect on one’s body and psyche (心灵). In fact, there is a growing field of health care known as music therapy(治疗), which uses music to treat diseases. Even hospitals are beginning to use music therapy. This is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways.
Research has shown that quick music can make a person feel more alert(警觉戒备), while slow music can produce a calm, deep thinking state. Also, research has found that music can change brainwave activity levels. This can help the brain to change speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening.
Breathing and heart rates can also be influenced by music. This can mean slower breathing, slower heart rate. This is why music and music therapy can help reduce the damaging effects of long-term stress, greatly promoting (促进) not only relaxation, but health.
Music can also be used to bring about a more positive state of mind by helping to keep worries away. Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of strokes(中风). It is no surprise that so many people are considering music as an important tool to help the body become or stay healthy.
【小题1】What can we infer about music therapy(治疗)?
| A.It is a type of music. |
| B.It is a research about music. |
| C.It is a kind of musical effect on diseases. |
| D.It is the use of music method to help treat diseases. |
| A.music with different speeds has different effects |
| B.quick music is not good for one’s health |
| C.slow music can help one to think more calmly and slowly |
| D.music will have less benefit after one stops listening |
| A.it is used by many hospitals |
| B.it can help change brainwaves |
| C.it does good to breathing and heart rates |
| D.it can bring a more positive state of mind |
| A.nervousness | B.mind illnesses |
| C.strokes | D.high blood pressure |
Life is too short to waste a moment, so while you still have time, let your hair down, remove that “boring” tag in your so-called life and start making it worthwhile. Below are some tips that will help you live a wonderful life.
1. Keep a Positive Attitude. Enjoy what you have and work on getting the things you desire. Psychologists believe that optimism (乐观主义) is a good defense against unhappiness, so it is better to keep your optimism alive. Feeling sad about your life will only make you sadder, so be happy.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks. Life is all about taking risks, and that’s the exciting part of it. Challenges and failure are part of life. Once you learn how to take risks, you’ll soon realize how good it feels not to let moments pass you by.
3. You only have one life, so make it worthwhile. Being unwilling to let the past go just keeps you away from the things you should be enjoying at the present.
4. List the Things You Want to Do. Stop lazing around and give yourself something to be busy with. Write down a list of all the things you want to do and make a timeline, not to stress you out, but to remind you of your goals. So don’t put limits to yourself because you’ll never know what may happen.
5. Try Out Something New. Getting into something or trying something unfamiliar to you may seem scary, but nothing can make you feel happier than being able to overcome your fear. Who knows? You might enjoy it! The world is a big place and there are still lots of things waiting to be explored by you. Go to a foreign place where you know no one.
【小题1】From Tip One we know that we should _________ .
| A.never be afraid to take risks | B.try something new every day |
| C.focus on the good things in life | D.get rid of all our former habits |
| A.Enjoy Today and Let Go of the Past. | B.Never Think of Tomorrow. |
| C.Remember You Are the Best. | D.Never Change Your Mind. |
| A.feeling sad about your life does you no good |
| B.it’s good to keep yourself busy doing something |
| C.you shouldn’t go to a new place where you have no friends |
| D.you should enjoy the present instead of always thinking of the past |
| A.Positive. | B.Negative. | C.Doubtful. | D.Indifferent. |
Why are people interested in eating raw foods or whole foods? One reason is that eating these types of food reduces the risk of acid accumulation in your body.
Raw and whole foods are usually digested more efficiently than cooked and refined foods. When we cook foods, we destroy the natural enzymes (酶) that are part of the food in its raw form. These enzymes were intended by nature to help us digest the food. When we consume food without these natural enzymes, our bodies either digest the food improperly or allow too many nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream. In both instances, the result is obesity. When too many nutrients are absorbed at once, the body grows fat. Improperly digested food moves slowly through the digestive tract, where it becomes increasingly acidic. To protect its vital organs from this acidic waste, the body changes the acid into fat and stores it safely away from the organs.
Processed foods contain chemical elements, which might confuse the appetite mechanism that tells us when we’ve had enough to eat; as a result, people often overeat. Processed foods also upset the digestive cycle. The body will either identify these foods as allergens and then store them safely away from the organs as fat, or the remains of undigested food will become acidic and enter the bloodstream as acid waste, which will stick to the blood vessel walls and block the passage of vital oxygen and nutrients heading for the body’s cells. The body’s metabolism (新陈代谢) becomes inactive, and the result is weight gain and obesity.
The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract makes digestion increasingly inefficient. When that happens, even healthy foods can become acidic and the food allergies will become more common.
To stop this vicious(恶性的) circle in its tracks, people need to consume food and supplements that will neutralize the acid already accumulated in body. Eating the right types of raw and whole foods can help. It’s also important to restore your enzyme balance. You need to identify and avoid the foods that cause acid accumulation and consume the foods that increase enzyme production. If you truly want to change and help your body heal itself, you need to take an active approach.
【小题1】It can be inferred from Para. 2 that __________.
| A.it is essential for people to protect their vital organs |
| B.we’d better be cautious about raw and whole foods |
| C.foods with natural enzymes help people keep fit |
| D.giving up cooked and refined foods is a new lifestyle |
| A.destroy body’s cells | B.may lead to obesity |
| C.are difficult to digest | D.stop body’s metabolism |
| A.To warn people of the problem of obesity. |
| B.To tell the differences between raw and processed foods. |
| C.To inform people of the harm of processed foods. |
| D.To advocate eating more raw and whole foods. |
| A.Suitable types of raw and whole foods. |
| B.Different causes of acid accumulation |
| C.Correct ways to cook raw foods. |
| D.Active approaches to avoid acid. |
| A.Processed foods are good for our appetite mechanism. |
| B.Eating the right types of raw and whole foods does good to our body. |
| C.The accumulation of acid in the digestive tract makes digestion more effective. |
| D.Processed foods also comfort the digestive tract. |
As we know, it is common for people to catch a cold in winter and most people believe they know the reason for colds. However, scientists say people have some wrong beliefs about the cause of colds.
Many people think that once you get infected by colds, you will not be easy to be attacked by colds for the rest of your life. That’s not the case. There are about 200 different viruses that cause the common cold. You catch a cold because of one kind of them this time, but you might catch a cold next time because of another.
Others believe that people get sick just because of the cold weather in winter. That is also wrong.
It’s because people tend to stay closer in winter and the cold virus is transmitted from one person to another through handshakes, sneezing, or coughing.
While there is no actual cure for the common cold, scientists say there are still a few things you can do to help you. Some experts say honey and chicken soup are effective against colds. Especially honey. There is increasing evidence that it helps shorten the duration of the common cold sometimes even by two to three days particularly in children. Chicken soup also helps reduce the duration of the cold.
In addition, if you do have a cold and you don’t feel like eating anything, it’s not going to hurt you but you have to drink a lot and you can drink water or tea because doctors say the water cycle in your bodies helps to cure colds. That’s very important. Though there is more than one way to deal with colds, doctors say the best advice is to continue using whatever works best for you.
【小题1】We know from the second paragraph that ______.
| A.the common cold is caused by only one virus |
| B.there are people who never catch a cold |
| C.colds can be caused by different viruses |
| D.all people are easily attacked by colds |
| A.passed | B.changed | C.cured | D.caused |
| A.drinking a lot of water | B.drinking chicken soups |
| C.eating honey | D.forcing yourself to eat |
| A.now scientists have found out practical treatment for colds |
| B.different people may have different ways to fight against colds |
| C.working in freezing weather is the main reason for colds |
| D.colds can be passed from animals to human beings |
World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world.
The theme for 2013 is high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes(中风). If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure. The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other risk factors such as diabetes(糖尿病). One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure and this increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s. High blood pressure is most common in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40% of adults in many African countries thought to be affected.
However, high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable. In some developed countries, prevention and treatment of it has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease. The risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by: reducing salt intake; eating a balanced diet; avoiding harmful use of alcohol; taking regular physical activity; keeping a healthy body weight; and avoiding tobacco use.
The final and most important goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes, which includes as follows:
1.to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure;
2.to provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure
3.to encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals.
【小题1】High blood pressure can cause medical problems like_____.
| A.heart diseases, strokes and blindness | B.strokes, heart failure and diabetes |
| C.heart attacks, blindness and diabetes | D.heart troubles,strokes and cancers |
| A.Those who are in their 20s | B.Those who are in their 30s |
| C.Those who are in their 40s | D.Those who are in their 50s |
| A.Less salt intake | B.Putting on weight | C.Regular exercise | D.No smoking |
| A.the theme for World Health Day 2013 | B.the causes of high blood pressure |
| C.the treatment of heart attacks and strokes | D.how to reduce the risk of high blood pressure |
Four out of ten women who diet end up heavier than when they started watching their waistline(腰围), a study revealed today. The research also showed that a large percentage of women start noticing the pounds creeping back on just 21 days after reaching their ideal weight.
Yesterday, Dr Ian Campbell of the Jenny Craig weight management program said: “In the UK 61.4 per cent of adults are overweight or obese. Successful weight management requires a long-term commitment in order to lose weight successfully and for good. Dieting can be a real challenge so setting realistic goals and remaining focused on them is important. Otherwise as this research shows, women could end up heavier than when they started.”
The “Food: Body: Mind” report was publicized by Jenny Craig who quizzed 2000 women aged between 18 and 65 who diet regularly on their attitudes, beliefs and behaviors around weight loss. Six in ten said they are currently on a diet and one in five women said they are on a “continuous diet”.
It found the most common triggers to start dieting was seeing their “reflection in the mirror”, preparing for a summer holiday or unflattering photos posted on social networking sites. Other popular reasons include comments by friends or relatives or their other half.
However, the study showed that one in ten give up within one day, while almost a fifth manage to make it to a week or more. The average is ten days. Many blamed pressure they put on themselves to lose weight too quickly for the weight gain, which leaves them with a bigger appetite than normal. Others blamed colleagues, who tuck into fatty lunches and snacks unaware of the effect it has on the dieter, while mothers who polish off their children's leftovers(剩饭)was another common cause of weight gain.
【小题1】Which of the following might be the best title for this article?
| A.Three reasons to fail in dieting | B.Important things for successful diet |
| C.Obesity: problem for 61.4% adults in UK | D.Four in ten women gain weight on diets |
| A.are all overweight or obese |
| B.are likely to gain weight again after reaching their ideal weight |
| C.all fail because they are not persistent enough |
| D.end up heavier than when they start to diet |
| A.effects | B.examples | C.causes | D.imagination |
| A.The pressure they put on themselves to lose weight quickly. |
| B.Colleagues who give them fatty lunches and snacks. |
| C.Reflections they see in the mirror. |
| D.Leftovers of children’s taken by their mothers. |
| A.Health. | B.Economy. | C.Sports. | D.Education. |