Question

    A trip to the theater, museum or art gallery could help you live longer. And the more often you get that culture fix the better, a new study suggests.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) found that people who engaged in the arts more frequently—every few months or more—had a 31% lower risk of dying early when compared to those who didn’t. Even going to the theater or museum once or twice a year was linked with a 14% lower risk.

“While other health behaviors like smoking, alcohol and exercise are undoubtedly bigger predictors of death rate, these leisure and pleasure activities that people don’t think as a health related activity do support good health and longevity.” said Daisy Fancourt, an associate professor at UCL’s Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health.

The study looked at a range of economic, health and social factors to try and explain why there is a link between “arts engagement” and living longer, although as an observational study it can’t establish cause. Part of the reason, the study said, comes down to social and economic differences among those who go and don’t go to museums, exhibitions and art galleries.

Wealth, they found, explained about 9% of the association. Cognitive differences, social and civic engagement, mental health, mobility and deprivation also played a role. Things like free time and occupational status made no material difference.

The study says that engaging with the arts can reduce stress and build creativity that allows people to adapt to changing circumstances. It also helps people build social capital—accessing emotional support and information that helps people age more successfully.

Everyone should have the chance to take part in cultural activities and the study added weight to growing concerns about the decline in arts subjects in schools and universities.

1.What are the statistics in Paragraph 2 about?

A.Connection with art.

B.Risk of dying early.

C.Chances of healthy living.

D.Frequency of art engagement.

2.What does Fancourt think of going to the concert?

A.It contributes to living healthier and longer.

B.It can improve peopled cultural awareness.

C.It is a good behavior like smoking or exercise.

D.It offers people opportunities to become artists.

3.What can we infer from the text?

A.People who have more free time enjoy visiting museums.

B.Social status plays an important role in leading a happy life.

C.Everyone taking part in art related activities can live longer.

D.There should be more arts subjects in schools and universities.

4.Why did the researchers carry out the study?

A.To find the cause of building creativity.

B.To promote the mental health of the old.

C.To analyze the link between arts and life.

D.To influence the social behavior of people.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.D

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。短文主要介绍了逛博物馆、美术馆、参加艺术活动不仅能陶冶情操，还有益健康，降低早逝风险。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第二段“Researchers from University College London (UCL) found that people who engaged in the arts more frequently—every few months or more—had a 31% lower risk of dying early when compared to those who didn’t. Even going to the theater or museum once or twice a year was linked with a 14% lower risk.”可知伦敦大学学院的研究人员发现，与不经常参加艺术活动的人相比，经常参加艺术活动的人（每隔几个月或更长时间去一次）早逝的风险降低了31%。即使每年去一两次剧院或博物馆，早逝风险也能降低14%。所以第二段的统计数据是关于早逝的风险。故选B。

2.推理判断题。根据文章第三段“While other health behaviors like smoking, alcohol and exercise are undoubtedly bigger predictors of death rate, these leisure and pleasure activities that people don’t think as a health related activity do support good health and longevity.” said Daisy Fancourt, an associate professor at UCL’s Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health.”可知虽然其他健康行为如吸烟、饮酒和运动无疑更能预测死亡率，但这些人们认为与健康无关的休闲娱乐活动也有利于健康长寿。由此判断出，Fancourt认为去听音乐会有助于生活得更健康、更长寿。故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据文章最后一段“Everyone should have the chance to take part in cultural activities and the study added weight to growing concerns about the decline in arts subjects in schools and universities”提到每个人都应该有机会参加文化活动，并表示该研究增加了人们对中小学和大学艺术类课程减少的担忧。由此判断出学校和大学应该开设更多的艺术课程。故选D项。

4.推理判断题。通过全文，尤其是第一段“A trip to the theater, museum or art gallery could help you live longer. And the more often you get that culture fix the better, a new study suggests.”可知，去剧院、博物馆或美术馆可以让你活得更长。一项新的研究表明，你越频繁地得到文化和艺术的熏陶，寿命越长。再结合短文主要介绍了逛博物馆、美术馆、参加艺术活动不仅能陶冶情操，还有益健康，降低早逝风险。故判断出研究人员要进行这项研究的目的是分析艺术和人寿命之间的关系。故选C项。