Question

Flaubert had it that "one way of tolerating existence is to lose oneself in literature as in an unending party". It turns out that reading doesn't only help us to tolerate existence, but actually lengthens it.

A recent study by Yale University researchers, published online in the journal Social Science & Medicine, concluded that "book readers experienced a 20 percent reduction in the risk of death over the 12 years of follow-up compared to non-book readers."

The data was obtained from the study sponsored by the National Institute on Aging. 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: on average, book readers survived almost two years longer than those who didn't crack open a book. The more the subjects read, the longer they lived, but that as little as 30 minutes a day was still beneficial in terms of survival.

Accounting for factors such as education level, income and health status, the study found that those who read more than 3.5 hours weekly 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 showed only an association between book reading and longevity, not a causal relationship. But the findings are not so surprising. Other recent research showed that reading novels appears to increase both brain connectivity and sympathy.

1.Why does the author mention Flaubert's words in the first paragraph?

A. To stress the value of reading.

B. To compare reading with party.

C. To introduce the study on reading.

D. To support the findings of the study.

2.From the text, what can we learn about the study?

A. No similar study on reading has been carried out.

B. The process of the study lasted more than ten years.

C. It shows readers live two years longer than non-readers.

D. It shows time spent on reading increases one's love for it.

3.What does the underlined words "that's the case" probably mean?

A. Reading books enables people to live longer.

B. Reading is similar to a healthy diet and exercise.

C. Reading books is closely associated with longevity.

D. Reading increases brain connectivity and sympathy.

4.Where can we most probably read this text?

A. https://www.theguardian.com/life-and-style/family.

B. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/coming-soon.

C. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health.

D. http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/Book_Recommendations.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.A

4.C

【解析】本文主要讨论了阅读不仅帮助我们生存，而且实际上延长了生命，也就是阅读有助于长寿。

1.C推理判断题。本文主要讨论了阅读不仅帮助我们生存，而且实际上延长了生命。也就是它有助于长寿。而Flaubert所说的话的意思也正是如此，所以可以推断出作者用他的话来引出关于阅读的研究。故选C。

2.B细节理解题。根据第二段"book readers experienced a 20 percent reduction in the risk of death over the 12 years of follow-up compared to non-book readers."可知，该研究追踪观察研究对象长达12年之久，也就说明该研究持续了10多年。故选B。

3.A词句猜测题。根据上文讨论了读书有助于长寿，以及下文这项研究只显示了读书与长寿之间的联系，而不是因果关系，可知that's the case是指读书能使人长寿。故选A。

4.C推理判断题。本文主要讨论了阅读不仅帮助我们生存，而且实际上延长了生命。也就是它有助于长寿。可知本文是与健康有关的话题，故选C。