Is there a limit to the number of years that a person can expect to live? Can changes in life-style add years to one’s life? Throughout history people have sought answers to these questions and others.
Various myths offer the hope of great longevity. In the imaginary land of Shangri-La, for example, people are said to lead a charmed existence for a thousand years. The Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was convinced that he would find the Foundation of Youth in what is now the state of Florida. According to the Bible, Methuselah lived to be more than 900 years old.
The subject of longevity is fascinating, and scientists study individuals such as Jeanne Calment to learn about the aging process. Calment died in 1997 in Arles, France, at the age of 122. She never married, and she lived in her own apartment until moving to a retirement community when she was 109.
Most scientists agree that bodies will last, at best, about 125 years. This potential has changed little since modern human beings appeared more than 100 thousand years age. Recent improvements in medicine and the environment have extended life expectancy, especially for those from poorer parts of the world. It is not clear, however, whether such improvements will lengthen life expectancy beyond a certain point.
Life expectancy is the number of years an infant can be expected to live, given the conditions into which it is born. Life expectancy, therefore, is affected by nutrition, medical care, and social and political circumstances. An individual’s genetic makeup is also an important factor. Children from long-lived families can hope to enjoy long lives themselves. According to recent data, the average life expectancy worldwide in 1998 was 67 years. This can be compared with an average life expectancy of 77 in the United States.
In 1970 the average life expectancy worldwide was 61 years, or 6 years less than it was in 1998. This same period saw a drop in infant mortality -— the death of a child before the first birthday-—from 80 births out of 1,000 to 54 births out of 1,000. According to some researchers, the rise in the average life expectancy is due primarily to the drop in infant mortality. It is not so much that adults are living to an older age. It is, rather, that more people are living into adulthood because more children are surviving beyond their first birthdays.
小題1:Infant mortality is defined as ________ .
A.the number of children born alive
B.the kinds of behavior typical of very young children
C.the number of children, out of 1,000 births, who die before their first birthday
D.the typical and obvious thoughts of very young children
小題2:Although it may be possible to improve the life expectancy of a particular group of people, ________ .
A.it is more difficult to affect the rate of infant mortality
B.it is unlikely that one will be able to extend the potential life span of human beings in general
C.the process of evolution is extending the potential life span beyond 125 years
D.the potential that bodies will last, at best, about 125 years has changed much since modern human beings appeared
小題3:One can infer that people have at times imagined that ________ .
A.people live longer in the state of Florida
B.a(chǎn) long life is a burden rather than a blessing
C.it is possible to find a way to live for centuries
D.life expectancy is affected by a couple of factors
小題4:One can conclude that  ________ .
A.the aging process can be stopped.
B.the aging process is inevitable.
C.life expectancy in the United States will soon reach 125 years.
D.the average life expectancy worldwide is decreasing

小題1:C
小題2:B
小題3:C
小題4:B

試題分析:人的壽命有局限嗎?改變生活方式可以延長(zhǎng)壽命嗎?自古以來(lái),古今中外的人們都在試圖破解生命之謎,尋找長(zhǎng)壽之方。然而科學(xué)家們卻認(rèn)為人的壽命除了受營(yíng)養(yǎng)、醫(yī)療、社會(huì)和政治環(huán)境影響外,人的遺傳基因也起著非常重要的作用,所以人的壽命不是可以無(wú)限延長(zhǎng)的。
小題1:C 詞意猜測(cè)題。根據(jù)末段infant mortality -— the death of a child before the first birthday-—from 80 births out of 1,000 to 54 births out of 1,000.可知infant mortality指的是嬰兒死亡率,故C選項(xiàng)正確。
小題2:B根據(jù)文章第四段內(nèi)容可知人的壽命受多種因素影響,比如營(yíng)養(yǎng)、醫(yī)療、社會(huì)和政治環(huán)境而且人的遺傳基因也起著非常重要的作用,由此推斷人們的壽命不可能全部延長(zhǎng),所以B為正確選項(xiàng)。
小題3:C細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第二段的內(nèi)容可知人們?cè)J(rèn)為某些地方的人們能活到將近一千年,由此可知C選項(xiàng)正確。
小題4:B推理判斷題。根據(jù)文中Most scientists agree that bodies will last, at best, about 125 years.以及下文Life expectancy, therefore, is affected by nutrition, medical care, and social and political circumstances.可知無(wú)論怎樣想方設(shè)法延長(zhǎng)壽命,人的死亡是不可避免的,所以B選項(xiàng)正確。
練習(xí)冊(cè)系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Marie Claire Magazine is one of the top women’s health, beauty and  fashion magazines in the world It has over 14 million readers all over the world.Maire Magazine is published in 32 countries including France, the Untied States ,Australia, China, the United Kingdom, Russia ,Spain Italy and many other nations.
Marie Claire Magazine has stood by its motto"More than a Pretty Face" since Jean Prouvost created it in France in1937. It was soon released every Wednesday and was an immediate success. Unfortunately, because of World War n, it stopped printing in 1940. But it b began in  again in 1954 as a monthly publication(出版物)instead of a weekly one.
The magazine has provided women throughout the world with information on health ,struggles and life stories of women. The magazine also focuses on current affairs all women would be interested in .It also has a part that specifically answers readers' questions.
The magazine discusses all of the latest and hottest things in clothing and accessories(首飾).It also provides its readers with shopping information to help find the best deals for the latest fashions.
The cover of Marie Claire Magazine has been graced(使增光)by many famous faces ,Although it is aimed at women, it broke new ground in 2003. The US publication featured a  man一Tom Cruise on its cover for the first time.Marie Claire Magazine has continued to be a pioneer in the magazine industry.
小題1:When was Marie Claire Magazine created?
A. In 1937.B. In 1940.C. In 1954.D. In 2003.
小題2:Marie Claire Magazine includes sections on                .
①health   ②fashion     ③first aid          ④current affairs
⑤babies   ⑥shopping   ⑦women's life stories ⑧readers' questions
A.①②③④⑤⑥B.②③④⑤⑥⑦C.②③⑤⑥⑦⑧D.①②④⑥⑦⑧
小題3:According to the passage,Marie Claire Magazine________.
A.pays a lot of attention to readers's responses
B.has been a monthly magazine since 1937
C.often has Tom Cruise on its cover
D.changed its boss in 1954
小題4:What do we know about Marie Claire Magazine?
A.It is a local European magazine.
B. It never refers to hot social problems.
C. It contains beautiful pictures and useful articles.
D. It has more readers than any other magazine of the same kind

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

There are some topics that readers never grow bored with, and the search for a suitable partner(伴侶) is one of them. Pride and Prejudice(傲慢與偏見)by Jane Austen, first published in 1813, tells the story of five young women, all of whom are looking for a husband. In order to fully understand the novel, the readers must know that at the time when Jane Austen was writing, if a family was not rich, the daughters needed to marry well in order to live a comfortable, independent life. That is the reason why Mrs Bennet, the mother of the five girls, is so eager to have her daughters married.
The heroine of the story is Elizabeth Bennet, and as in all good romantic novels, she and Darcy, the man she finally marries, remain separate until the very end of the story. The wealthy Darcy is a proud, unsociable man, and when Elizabeth hears that he has insulted(侮辱) both her and her family, she dislikes him very much. Poor Darcy then falls head over heels in love with Elizabeth, and has to work terribly hard to persuade her to change her mind about him. He succeeds of course, and they live happily ever after. 
Set at the turn of the 19th century, the novel is still attractive to modern readers. It has become one of the most popular novels and receives great attention from literary scholars(學(xué)者).Modern interest in the book has resulted in a number of dramas(戲。゛nd a lot of novels and stories modeling(模仿) after Austen’s memorable (難忘的)characters or themes. To date, the book has sold some 20 million copies worldwide.
Jane Austen is rightly famous for her style. Her sentences have a wonderful rhythm(韻律), and she makes such clever, true comments about people. It is not surprising that Pride and Prejudice has lasted.
小題1:In the 19th century, a poor girl in Britain was often encouraged to          .
A.master the skills of writingB.marry the one she loved
C.change her life by marrying rich D.obey her parents
小題2:What do we know about Elizabeth and Darcy?
A.They both come from poor families and wish to marry rich.
B.They’ve experienced ups and downs but get married in the end.
C.They get separated from each other shortly after being married.
D.Darcy falls over and gets hurt but Elizabeth still loves him.
小題3: According to the passage, Pride and Prejudice _________.
A.inspired many other novels and many plays have been produced based on it.
B.was first published in 1813 and sold 20 million copies soon
C.tells a sad love story which moves generations of readers
D.is set at the turn of the 19th century and not well received worldwide

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Money and Happiness
A Guide to Living the good life
Author: Laura Rowley
Publisher: Wiley (March 1, 2005)
Laura Rowley makes us all understand the money-happiness connection in our own lives so that we spend our time and our efforts wisely. She offers insight that every reader can use to make smarter decisions that will lead to living a rich life in every possible definition of the term.
The Happiness Makeover
How to Teach Yourself to Be Happy and Enjoy Every Day
Author: M. J. Ryan
Publisher: Broadway (May 10, 2005)
Ryan’s own desire to be happier first led(引領(lǐng)) her to study what is known about happiness from brain science, psychology, and the wisdom traditions of the world. The Happiness Makeover draws on this wide-ranging knowledge and presents a plan that will help you:
Clear away happiness hindrances(障礙物) like worry, fear, envy, and grudges
Discover happiness boosters like meaningful work, challenge, and gratitude
Learn to think optimistically(樂(lè)觀地)(it is really possible!)
Find daily ways to truly enjoy, even relish, the moments of your life Happiness
The Science Behind Your Smile
Author: Daniel Nettle
Publisher: Oxford University Press (July 1, 2005)
This is the first book to look thoroughly at what happiness is and how it works. Nettle examines whether people are basically happy or unhappy, whether success can make us happy, why some people are happier than others, and much more.
Hormones(荷爾蒙), health, and Happiness
Author: Steven F. Hotze
Publisher: Forrest Publishing (April, 2005)
Dr Steven Hotze is leading a wellness revolution that advances a new model of health care. In Hormones, Health, and Happiness you are shown how to reach and maintain optional cell, tissue(身體組織), and organ(器官) functioning so that you can enjoy a better quality of life.
小題1:At least how many books are written by women according to the passage above?
A.4B.3C.2D.1
小題2:Whose model will possibly help readers obtain health naturally(自然地)?
A.Laura RowleyB.Ryan’sC.Daniel Nettle’sD.Steven F. Hotze’s
小題3:Which book is the result of the author’s own need to know more about happiness?
A.Hormones, health, and Happiness
B.Money and Happines
C.The Happiness Makeover
D.The Science Behind Your Smile

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is a children’s book.
As the story opens,eight-year-old farm girl Fern Arable stops her father from killing a baby pig who is weaker than his brothers and sisters.The little pig,Wilbur,becomes one of the main characters in the story.Later he will be treated as a friend by Charlotte,a wise and loving spider living on the same farm.Wilbur slowly realizes that the farmer will kill him for his meat in a few months ,and Charlotte decides to help him out.She tries many things to keep Wilbur alive.She writes words in her web describing how wonderful Wilbur is and this makes the farm famous.
White creates a sort of modern animal fable(寓言),in which animals can speak both with each other and with Fern.Also there are many great characters in this book.
The society of animals has many lessons to teach children and adults:friendship,sacrifice(犧牲),hope,determination,love,duty,fairness,respect,and many more.
Part of this novel’s success is the fact that the author makes a heroine(女主角)out of a spider,a creature that many people probably dislike.Unlike a lovely little pig or other creatures,a spider is a creature greatly different from humans.White’s Charlotte is a truly wonderful character.He tells the story of Charlotte and her friends in a special way.This is a book that no one could ever dislike.It has much to offer to children as well as to older teens and adult readers.
小題1:According to the descripion of the book,Charlotte ______.
A.is a nice and clever spider
B.often teaches her friends good lessons
C.a(chǎn)lways sacrifices herself for her friends
D.is disliked by many animals around her
小題2:According to the writer,which of the following is a factor in the success of the book?
A.That there are many animals in the book.
B.That the author of the book is very famous.
C.That the author knows children very well.
D.That the author makes a heroine out of a spider.
小題3:We learn from the passage that Charlitte’s Web ______.
A.is the most interesting book for children
B.is E.B. White’s only book written for children
C.is a good book not only for children but also for adults
D.is mainly about how animals get along with each other
小題4:What is the purpose of the writer in writing this passage?
A.To introduce the book Charlitte’s Web
B.To discuss what kinds of books are good to read
C.To explain why Charlitte’s Web is a good book
D.To tell us the importance of friendship in our life

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

What’s a “gift”? If you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll see that it’s another word for a present. For example, “They brought him some gifts.” However, if you’re German, “gift” means something completely different: poison!
This word “gift” is an example of a false friend--- a word that looks the same in two languages, but which actually has two different meanings. As English is basically a mixture of German, French and Latin, there are many words that are similar in these languages. For example, the English word “education” is “education” in Spanish. And the English words “word, book, nine, house” are “Wort, Buch, Neun, Haus” in german.
These similar-looking words can be very helpful when learning other languages --- they’re our “friends”. However, sometimes they can turn out or be “false friends”. Here are a few examples.
In English, someone who is “sensible” thinks before they act and shows good judgement. For example , “The sensible thing to do would be to consult a lawyer.” However, in Spanish, “sensible ” means “sensitive” (showing understanding of other people’s problems, needs or feelings).
The English word “coin” refers to a piece of money made of metal. For example, “I had a few coins in my pocket.” But the French word “coin” means “corner”.
The English word “l(fā)ibrary” is a place where you can go to borrow books. For example, “I borrowed six books from the library.” But the Spanish word “l(fā)ibreria” refers to a bookshop (where you buy books).
The English word “actually” means “in fact”. For example, “Actually I’m not Italian, I’m form American.” But the Spanish word “actualmente” means “currently” or “at the moment”.
Finally, the English word “embarrassed” means “ashamed”. For example, “They looked a bit embarrassed.” However, the Spanish term “embarazada” means “pregnant” (with a child).
小題1: We can learn from the first two paragraphs that English _______.
A.is easy to master
B.is simpler than Spanish
C.has a complex background
D.has changed greatly throughout history
小題2: Which of the following pairs of words are true friends according to the author?
A.Nine and Neun.B.Library and libreria.
C.Actually and actualmente.D.Embarrassed and embarazada.
小題3: According to the text, in Spanish ______.
A.“coin” means “corner”
B.“gift” refers to something negative
C.“educacion” simply means “book”
D.“sensible” doesn’t necessarily means “wise”
小題4: The author develops the text mainly by ______.
A.following the order of spaceB.comparing different ideas
C.providing typical examplesD.a(chǎn)nalyzing the cause and effect

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Laptop computers (筆記本電腦)are popular all over the world. People use them on trains and airplanes, in airports and hotels. These laptops connect people to their workplace. In the United States today, laptops also connect students to their classrooms.
Westlake College in Virginia will start a laptop computer program that allows students to do schoolwork anywhere they want. Within five years, each of the 1500 students at the college will receive a laptop. The laptops are part of a $10 million computer program at Westlake, a 110-year-old college. The students with laptops will also have access to the Internet. In addition, they will be able to use e-mail to "speak" with their teachers, their classmates, and their families. However, the most important part of the laptop program is that students will be able to use computers without going to computer labs. They can work with it at home, in a fast-food restaurant or under the trees-anywhere at all!
Because of the many changes in computer technology, laptop use in higher education, such as colleges and universities, is workable. As laptops become more powerful, they become more similar to desktop computers. In addition, the portable computers can connect students to not only the Internet, but also libraries and other resources. State higher-education officials are studying how laptops can help students. State officials are also testing laptop programs at other universities, too.
At Westlake College, more than 60 percent of the staff(全體員工)use computers. The laptops will allow all teachers to use computers in their lessons. As one Westlake teacher said, "Here we are in the middle of Virginia and we're giving students a window on the world. They can see everything and do everything."
小題1:The main purpose of the laptop program is to give each student a laptop to _____.
A.use for their schoolwork
B.a(chǎn)ccess the Internet
C.work at home
D.connect them to libraries
小題2:Why is the word "speak" in the second paragraph in quotation marks (引號(hào))?
A.They can speak loudly.
B.They use the computer language.
C.Laptops have speakers.
D.They don't really talk.
小題3:Which of the following is TRUE about Westlake College?
A.All teachers use computers.
B.1500 students have laptops.
C.It is an old college in America.
D.Students there can do everything.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an interactional festival of music, dance and theatre in Edinburgh. The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War.
At the same time, the “Fringe” appeared as a challenge to the official festival. Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947, in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform, and they did so in a public house disused for years.
Soon, groups of students firstly from Edinburgh University, and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by little-known writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh.
Today the “Fringe”, once less recognized, has far outgrown the festival with around 1,500 performances of theatre, music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts. And yet as early as 1959, with only 19 theatre groups performing, some said it was getting too big.
A paid administrator was first employed only in 1971, and today there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself. In 2004 there were 200 places housing 1,695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50 different countries. More than 1.25 million tickets were sold.
小題1:What was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at the beginning?
A.To bring Europe together again.
B.To honor heroes of World War 11.
C.To introduce young theatre groups.
D.To attract great artists from Europe.
小題2:Why did some uninvited theatre groups come to Edinburgh in 1947?
A.They owned a public house there.
B.They came to take up a challenge.
C.They thought they were also famous.
D.They wanted to take part in the festival.
小題3:Who joined the "Fringe" after it appeared?
A.they owned a public house there
B.University students.
C.Artists from around the world.
D.Performers of music and dance.
小題4:We may learn from the text that Edinburgh Festival __________.
A.has become a non-official event
B.has gone beyond an art festival
C.gives shows all year round
D.keeps growing rapidly

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

President Coolidge’s statement, “The business of America is business,” still points to an important truth today—that business institutions have more prestige(威望)in American society than any other kind of organization, including the government. Why do business institutions possess this great prestige?
One reason is that Americans view business as being more firmly based on the ideal of competition than other institutions in society. Since competition is seen as the major source of progress and prosperity by most Americans, competitive business institutions are respected. Competition is not only good in itself, it is the means by which other basic American values such as individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and hard work are protected.
Competition protects the freedom of the individual by ensuring that there is no monopoly(壟斷)of power. In contrast to one all-powerful government, many businesses compete against each other for profits. Theoretically, if one business tries to take unfair advantage of its customers, it will lose to competing business which treats its customers more fairly. Where many businesses compete for the customers’ dollars, they cannot afford to treat them like inferiors or slaves.
A contrast is often made between business, which is competitive, and government, which is a monopoly. Because business is competitive, many Americans believe that it is more supportive of freedom than government, even though government leaders are elected by the people and business leaders are not. Many Americans believe, then, that competition is as important, or even more important, than democracy(民主)in preserving freedom.
Competition in business is also believed to strengthen the ideal of equality of opportunity. Competition is seen as an open and fair race where success goes to the swiftest person regardless of his or her social class background. Competitive success is commonly seen as the American alternative to social rank based on family background. Business is therefore viewed as an expression of the idea of equality of opportunity rather than the aristocratic(貴族的)idea of inherited privilege.
小題1:The statement “The business of America is business” probably means ________.
A.America is a great power in world business
B.Business is of primary concern to Americans
C.The business institutions in America are concerned with commerce
D.Business problems are of great importance to the American government
小題2:Americans believe that they can realize their personal values only _______.
A.by protecting their individual freedom
B.when given equality of opportunity
C.by way of competition
D.through doing business
小題3:Who can benefit from business competition?
A.People with ideals of equality and freedom.
B.Both business institutions and government.
C.Honest businessmen.
D.Both businessmen and their customers.
小題4:Government is believed to differ strikingly from business in that government is characterized by ________.
A.its role in protecting basic American values
B.its absolute control of power
C.its democratic way of exercising leadership
D.its function in preserving personal freedom
小題5:It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes ___________.
A.in many countries success often depends on one’s social status
B.businesses in other countries are not as competitive as those in America
C.American businesses are more democratic than those in other countries
D.Americans are more ambitious than people in other countries

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊(cè)答案