高二课堂限时训练二

阅读理解

Passage 1

A recent study by Yale University researcher, published online in the journal Social Science & Medicine, concluded that “book readers experienced a 20 percent reduction in risk of death over the 12 years of follow-up compared to non-book readers.” The study looked at 3,635 subjects, all older than 50, whom the researchers divided into three groups: those who didn't read books, those who read up to 3.5 hours a week and those who read more than 3.5 hours a week. The findings were remarkable: Book readers survived almost two years longer than those who didn't open a book.

Accounting for different factors such as education level, income and health condition, the study found that those who read more than 3.5 hours a week were 23 percent less likely to die during that 12-year period. Those who read up to 3.5 hours – an average of a half – hour a day – were 17 percent less likely. In other words, just like a healthy diet and exercise, books appear to promote a “significant survival advantage,” the authors concluded.

Why or how that’s the case remains unclear; the research has showed an association between book reading and longevity(长寿), not a casual relationship.

Book buying has increased annually during the past few years. At least 652 million print and electronic books were sold in the United States last year, according to Nielsen BookScan, the main data collector for the book publishing industry. The bad news: Americans hardly crack the top 25 when it comes to which countries read the most books. India, Thailand and China are ranked one, two and three by the World Culture Index, while the United States comes in 23rd, behind countries such as Egypt, Australia, Turkey and Germany.

1.What can we learn from the research?

A.People of different ages have better daily plans.

B.Novel lovers are more likely to be younger people.

C.Reading to some degree works as a survival helper.

D.Non- book reader prefer to spend more time keeping fit.

2.Why’s there a lower death rate for those loving reading according to the

research?

A.They care more about their health condition.

B.It hasn’t found the real reason by now.

C.They have higher education level.

D.They have better brain and mind.

3.What may make Americans worried about reading?

A.They’re falling behind other countries in reading amoun t.

B.Their young adults don't read any book during a year.

C.There are more and more people who are above 55.

D.They don't have healthy diets and enough exercise.

4.What’s the best title for the passage?

A.Bad news or good news? Time to change!

B.Survive or not? Find the secret to live longer.

C.Way to look younger? Have a book in hand now.

D.The best reason for reading? Book lovers live longer.

Passage 2

Two of the saddest words in the English language are “if only”. I live my life with the goal of never having to say those words, because they convey regret, mistakes, and disappointment.

My father is famous in our family for saying, “Taking the extra minute to do it right.” I always try to live by the “extra minute” rule. When my children were young and likely to cause accidents, I always thought about what I could do to avoid an “if only” moment, whether it was something minor like moving a cup full of hot coffee away from the edge of a counter, or something that required a little more work such as taping padding(衬垫) onto the sharp corners of a glass coffee table.

I don’t only avoid those “if only” moments when it comes to safety. It’s equally important to avoid “if only” in our personal relationships. We all know people who lost a loved one and regretted that they had foregone an opportunity to say “I love you” or “I forgive you”. When my father announced he was going to the eye doctor across from my office on Good Friday, I told him that it was a holiday for my company and I wouldn’t be here. But then I thought about the f act that he’s 84 years old I realized that I shouldn’t give up an opportunity to see him. I called him and told him I had decided to go to work on my day off after all.

I know there will still be occasions when I have to say “if only” about something, but my life is definitely better because of my policy of doing everything possible to avoid that eventuality(不测的事). And even though it takes an extra minute to do something right, or it occasionally takes an hour or two in my busy schedule to make a personal c onnection, I know that I’m doing the right thing. I’m buying myself peace of mind and that’s the best kind of insurance for my emotional well-being.

5. Which of the following is an example of the “extra minute” rule?

A.Start the car the moment everyone is seated.