( C )

Imagine being on a treadmill (跑步机), wearing a face mask connected to oxygen-measuring equipment. You are walking at a leisurely pace, at the slowest setting, so your oxygen consumption is fairly low. As the speed of the treadmill increases, your metabolism (新陈代谢) increases, and as a result, your oxygen consumption goes up as well. Your muscle cells are using the extra oxygen to break down carbohydrates, which they use for fuel, and turn them into energy, so their metabolism is said to be aerobic (with air). You are now jogging along at a comfortable speed, still supplying sufficient oxygen to your muscle cells, so your exercise is still aerobic. As you increase your speed, your oxygen consumption will continue to rise, but at some point, it will stop rising. That is because your heart and lungs have reached their maximum capacity for supplying oxygen to the muscles via the bloodstream. But you can still run a lot faster. Your speed keeps increasing and eventually you are running as fast as you can, but your oxygen consumption has not changed. Your muscle cells can keep on firing without getting the extra oxygen they need because they are able to break down carbohydrates without using oxygen. This is called anaerobic (without air) metabolism. Sprinters (短跑运动员), who run at top speed, perform most of their hundred-meter race anaerobically; in contrast, long-distance runners, who have time to vary their speed, perform most of their event aerobically.

Anaerobic metabolism is far less efficient than aerobic metabolism but is capable of generating very high quantities of energy for short periods of time. It also generates lactic acid (乳酸) as a by-product. This is stored in the muscles and associated with muscle fatigue and general exhaustion. That is why sprinting cannot be kept up for very long. After sprinting, the lactic acid that has been stored in the muscles has to be broken down, and this requires oxygen, which explains why we breathe quickly after a hard run.

72. The body’s energy is usually obtained through the breakdown of _____.

A. carbohydrates B. lactic acid C. the bloodstream D. oxygen

73. When you run, your body begins anaerobic metabolism _____.

A. as you begin to pick up speed

B. after sprinting is completed

C. when your heart and lungs cannot supply enough oxygen

D. when the lactic acid in your muscles must be broken down

74. Which of the following statements is true

A. Aerobic metabolism is more efficient than anaerobic metabolism.

B. Aerobic metabolism breaks down carbohydrates without oxygen.

C. Aerobic metabolism produces lactic acid.

D. Aerobic metabolism happens for only brief periods.

75. The passage implies that during sprinting, _____.

A. there is a dangerous pressure on the heart

B. the body’s reserve of carbohydrates increases

C. the body breaks down carbohydrates both with and without oxygen

D. the body needs less energy than usual 

Section C

Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need. 

 Five Happiness Secrets For Tough Times

Sonja Lyubomirsky, an author, has researched the science of happiness for years. Here are her tips to help you cope with a bad economy, and increase your bursts of happiness throughout the day.

76.

“You could spend a lot of time thinking deeply,” says Lyubomirsky. “But that just makes you feel even more pessimistic, more out of control, and affects your self esteem. Your relationships will suffer and your job performance will suffer.”

Get rid of pessimism. One of the most effective ways to cope when things are difficult is to adopt a positive thinking strategy. “What can I learn from this? Times are tough, I’ve been furloughed at work, but I can spend more time with the kids, adopt a new hobby, or learn a new set of skills.”

77.

Now more than ever we need each other to survive. Lyubomirsky found that doing good things for friends, family, or strangers can make you happier. Think of practical, everyday gestures that can make someone’s life a little bit easier. For example, Lyubomirsky says, “Maybe now many of us can’t afford to take a cab to the airport, so offer to give a friend a ride.”

78.

You don’t need an expert to tell you that relationships are critical to happiness. Not being the bread-winner anymore or not being able to fulfill your kid’s needs can weigh down hard on your family life. But the trick is to stop feeling guilty and focus on caring for your loved ones.

 “I was at a psychology conference where an expert was talking about the effects of this economy on families and how parents can’t afford to buy their kids luxuries like toys anymore,” says Lyubomirsky. “But what they don’t realize is that kids don’t care about toys — what they care about is parents being grumpy and taking it out on them.”

79.

“If you find a happy person you will find a project,” says Lyubomirsky. “Happy people all have goals they care about.”

Commit yourself to a project – whether it is a business you want to start or a dance you want to learn. But it’s also important to remember to be flexible in these times. Don’t get frustrated if circumstances are stopping you from meeting your goals. Adopt and change!

“If your spouse has lost their job you might have to change your goal,” says Lyubomirsky. “Or you might have to learn a whole new skill for a new job.”

80.

When times are tough, it’s easy to skip your regular workouts in favor of mopping in front of the TV and eating a bag of chips. Your thinking is “I have more important things to worry about right now than looking good.”

But carve out a small part of your day to give your body some TLC (Tender Loving Care). It will go a long way in boosting your happiness. “Even if you can’t afford to go to the gym,” Lyubomirsky says, “take time out to exercise at home.” 

Section D

Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in the fewest possible words.

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 finds 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.

(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TEN WORDS.)

81. What personal behaviors can spread from person to person like loneliness and happiness according to the Framingham Study?

82. What group of people was affected most by loneliness according to the passage?

83. According to the New York Times newspaper report, if you want to reduce the feelings of loneliness, you’d better _____.

84. The researchers who make the study believe that loneliness is caused by _____.