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Two new studies suggest that modem running shoes could increase the risk of injuries to runners.
One study involved sixty-eight healthy young women and men who ran at least twenty-four kilometers a week. The runners were observed on a treadmill machine (跑步机). Sometimes they wore running shoes. Other times they ran barefoot.
Researchers from the JKM Technologies Company in Virginia, the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado did the study.
They found that running shoes create more stress that could damage knees, hips and ankle joints than running barefoot. They observed that the effect was even greater than the effect reported earlier for walking in high heels.
The study appeared in the official scientific journal of the American Academy of Physical Medicine.
The other study appeared in the journal Nature. It compared runners in the United States and Kenya. The researchers were from Harvard University in Massachusetts, Moi University in Kenya and the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
They divided the runners into three groups. One group had always run shoeless. Another group had always run with shoes. And the third group had changed to shoeless running.
Runners who wear shoes usually come down heel first. That puts great force on the back of the foot. But the study found that barefoot runners generally land on the front or middle of their foot. That way they ease into their landing and avoid striking their heel.
Harvard’s Daniel Lieberman led the study. He says the way most running shoes are designed may explain why those who wear them land on their heels. The heel of the shoe is bigger and heavier than other parts of the shoe, so it would seem more likely to come down first. Also, the heel generally has thick material under it to soften landings.
But the researchers do not suggest that runners immediately start running barefoot. They say it takes some training. And there can be risks, like running when your feet are too cold to feel if you get injured.
The study was partly supported by Vibram, which makes a kind of footwear that it says is like running barefoot. The findings have gotten a lot of attention. But the researchers say there are many problems in the way the press has reported in their paper. So they have tried to explain their findings on a Harvard Website.
1.What can we learn from the passage?
A. The way that we run by landing on the front or middle of our foot could avoid damaging our heel.
B. We should start running barefoot in no time.
C. Running in modem running shoes could have more serious effects than running in high heels.
D. We won’t be injured if we run barefoot.
2.How many organizations are involved in the two studies?
A. Three. B. Four.
C. Five. D. Six.
3.How did the researchers do the two studies?
A. By practising. B. By comparing.
C. By questioning. D. By reasoning.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Walking in high heels could have fewer serious effects than running barefoot.
B. Two new discoveries encourage people to run in high heels.
C. Running in shoes is partly good to runners.
D. Two new studies prove running without shoes is beneficial to runners in most cases.
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Dodder is an unusual and unwanted plant that attacks other plants. Except for its flowers, the plant looks like spaghetti, a kind of noodles in the shape of long thin pieces that look like string when they are cooked. Its almost leafless, thread-like stems (茎) hang down on top of other plants that dodder needs to stay alive. Dodder does not produce its own food. Instead, it steals food from other plants. It feeds by sucking juices from the plant which is wrapped around, often making its host very weak or even killing it.
Dodder can find other plants by their smell. When a young dodder plant starts growing, it follows the smell of plants it prefers, like tomato plants, potato plants, or other farm crops. Unlike most plants that usually grow in the direction of light or warmth, a dodder plant will grow in the direction of, for example, tomato smell—if a tomato happens to be growing nearby.
However, a young dodder plant must find a host plant quickly. It no longer needs its root once it is attached to the host and wrapped around it. If it cannot catch a smell of a potential host within a few days, it will dry up and disappear—even if there is plenty of water around. Once it finds a host, the young dodder plant will attach itself to it and start growing faster. At that point the dodder plant will drop its root.
Dodder is thus a difficult weed to manage and a real headache for farmers. When it does get out of hand, dodder can greatly reduce a farmer’s harvest or even destroy crops completely. Before sowing their produce, especially farmers in warm parts of the world often check to make sure no unwanted dodder seeds have mixed with their crop seeds. This is a good way to stop dodder plants from making their way to a crop field secretly.
1.Why does the author mention spaghetti in the first paragraph?
A. To analyze the content of some food.
B. To describe the shape of dodder plants.
C. To explain where the dodder plants come from.
D. To argue that dodder plants can be used.
2.What will happen if a dodder plant starts growing where there are no other plants around?
A. It will die sooner or later.
B. It will grow deep roots.
C. It will attract other plants.
D. It will cover the entire area of soil.
3.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Dodder does not produce its own food.
B. Dodder can affect farmers’ income.
C. Dodder can only survive in the shade.
D. Dodder only grows in the warm areas.
4.What is the main topic of the passage?
A. A new variety of farm crops.
B. Plants that are harmful to humans.
C. The special abilities of a dangerous plant.
D. Recent improvements in farming methods.
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Amsterdam is a special city. There are many places you should not miss during your visit. Here is our list of the best.
Amsterdam canal ring
The city old centre is formed from canal rings, which give you the feeling of space, freedom and peace. Walk through these canal streets or better — take a trip by renting a boat yourself. Another way to explore the Venice of the North is to take a ride on a bicycle. Any way you decide for—enjoy this city.
The National Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is an attractive place to visit, especially with children. With many attractions in it, this colourful and enjoyable museum will help you understand the history of the Netherlands—a small nation which was one of the world’s greatest sea powers.
Amsterdam Brown Cafe
When you enter Amsterdam old cafes called Brown, at first it will seem too much from the past and too crowded, but the atmosphere is unique. Relax and watch— most of people around will be locals. Feel like one of them — the real Amsterdammers.
Civic Guards Gallery
This gallery is filled with old paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. The exhibited canvas may be not always the masterpieces of art, but these group portraits of Amsterdam citizens and their wives are an exquisite (精致的) document of the Dutch civilization and culture centuries ago.
To avoid waiting lines we advise you to buy your tickets in advance online through our Amsterdam attractions and museums tickets webpage.
1.How many ways are there for tourists to visit the city old centre?
A. 2. B. 3.
C. 4. D. 5.
2.Where would you go to learn more about local life?
A. Amsterdam canal ring.
B. The National Maritime Museum.
C. Amsterdam Brown Cafe.
D. Civic Guards Gallery.
3.Where does the passage probably come from?
A. A fiction. B. A travel guide.
C. A textbook. D. A science magazine.
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Electric devices can seem like a “third party” in some relationships because some partners spent more time on them than with each other.
When Amanda Gao, a 26-year-old white collar worker in Beijing, went to a hotpot restaurant with her boyfriend on Friday night several weeks ago, she expected that they would have a good time together. To her disappointment, however, it did not turn out that later. As soon as they were led to their seats and she began to order dishes, he buried himself in his mobile phone.
“It seemed that his phone was making its way between us. A date that should have belonged to us turned into one where my boyfriend dated a third party and I felt left out.” Gao said. Some people, like her, have found electronics have been sabotaging(破坏) their romantic relationships.
A study, published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture, in April, 2017, questioned nearly 200 college aged adults who were in committed(真诚的) relationships to report on their and their partner’s smartphone dependency. The results showed people who were more dependent on their phones were less sure about their relationships, and people considered their partners excessively(过度地) dependent on their devices were less satisfied in their relationship.
Lin Yuan, a relationship advisor in Beijing, noted that as more and more electronics come out and spice up people’s lives, they are at the same time becoming a third party in relationships, especially for young people.
Lin said she knew of some people who suggest that electronics should be kept out of bedrooms, which she considered challenging and hard to be put into practice for most couples. She recommended that if people are feeling neglected in their relationship, they need to respectfully let their partners know their feeling. “Communication is always the best and the most efficient way.” she said.
1.What is Gao’s feeling when entering the restaurant with her boyfriend?
A. Expectant. B. Disappointed.
C. Annoyed. D. Uneasy.
2.Which of the following may Lin Yuan agree with?
A. Gao’s boyfriend must be addicted to playing games.
B. Most couples can practice keeping electronics out of bedrooms.
C. Partners should communicate more to understand each other better.
D. Couples should restrict the use of electronics to avoid possible problems.
3.Why was the case of Amanda Gao mentioned?
A. To explain who the “third party” is.
B. To stress the importance of electronic devices.
C. To make advisors know more about the matter.
D. To introduce peoples’ dependence on electronics.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. A third party—electronic devices
B. Are electronic devices killing romance?
C. Do smart phones ruin partnership?
D. Couples and smart phones
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）划掉。