Question

    The concept of “the body” is closely related to the ideas of “illness” and “health”. 1. The main reasons for the differences are genetic, and the fact that people’s bodies change as they age. However, a huge range of research indicates that there are social factors too.

Poorer people are more likely to eat “unhealthy” foods, to smoke cigarettes and to be employed in repetitive, physically difficult work. 2. That is to say, the physical shapes of bodies are strongly influenced by social factors.

These social factors are also closely linked to emotional wellbeing. People with low or no incomes are more likely to have mental health problems. 3. For example, certain people with mental health issues may be at risk of becoming homeless, just as a person who is homeless may have an increased risk of illnesses such as depression.

4. Bodies are young or old, short or tall, big or small, weak or strong. Whether these judgements matter and whether they are positive or negative depends on the cultural and historical contexts. The culture, and media, of different societies promote very different valuations of body shapes. 5. Currently, in rich societies the idea of slimness is highly valued, but historically this was different. It is easy for people to feel undervalued because of factors they have no power to change, for example, their age and height. Equally, they can feel pressured into making changes to their appearance when there is a choice, which in some cases can lead to an unhealthy interest in weight loss. Therefore, sociologists are suggesting that we should not just view bodies and minds in biological terms, but also in social terms.

A.There are other types of social factors too.

B. All of these factors affect the condition of a person’s health.

C. Their housing conditions and neighbourhoods need to be improved.

D. What is considered as attractive or ugly, normal or abnormal varies greatly.

E. All of us exist in “bodies” of different shapes, heights, colours and physical abilities.

F. Social factors in general play an important role in the development of people’s body conditions.

G. It is not clear, however, whether the situation of being poor causes mental illness, or whether it is the other way around.

Answer

1.E

2.B

3.G

4.A

5.D

【解析】

本文为说明文。“身体”的概念与“疾病”、“健康”的概念密切相关。我们都存在于不同形状、高度、颜色和身体能力的“身体”中。造成这种差异的主要原因是基因，以及人的身体会随着年龄的增长而变化这一事实。然而，大量的研究表明，也有社会因素。

1.考查上下文及句意理解。根据下文“造成这种差异的主要原因是基因，以及人的身体会随着年龄的增长而变化这一事实。”可知，E项“我们都存在于不同形状、高度、颜色和身体能力的“身体”中。”符合此处语境。故E选项正确。

2.考查上下文及句意理解。根据上文“穷人更有可能吃“不健康”的食物、吸烟、从事重复性、体力劳动。”可知，B项“所有这些因素都会影响一个人的健康状况”符合此处语境。故B选项正确。

3.考查上下文及句意理解。根据上文“低收入或无收入的人更容易出现心理健康问题。”及下文“例如，一些有心理健康问题的人可能会有无家可归的危险，就像一个无家可归的人可能会增加患抑郁症等疾病的风险一样。”G项“然而，目前还不清楚贫穷是否会导致精神疾病，或者正好相反。”符合此处语境。故G选项正确。

4.考查上下文及句意理解。根据下文“身体年轻或年老，矮或高，大或小，弱或强。这些判断是否重要，是积极的还是消极的，取决于文化和历史背景。”可知，A项“还有其他类型的社会因素”符合此处语境。故A选项正确。

5.考查上下文及句意理解。根据上文“不同社会的文化和媒体对体型的评价大相径庭。”可知，D项“什么是有吸引力的、什么是丑陋的、什么是正常的、什么是不正常的，这些差别很大。”符合此处语境。故D选项正确。