Question

    How many afternoons have you slowly moved over to the office coffee machine and wondered: Is this really my fourth cup of the day? Or wait, is it my fifth? We've all been there, but a new study shows refilling your cup too often could be hurting your health.

The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that drinking six or more cups of coffee per day may increase your risk of heart disease by up to 22%. Researchers from the University of South Australia also found a specific gene, called CYP1A2, which enables people to consume caffeine faster than those without it.

Overall, the researchers found that people who drank six or more cups of coffee a day were 22% more likely to develop cardiovascular （心血管的）disease, compared to those who drank one to two cups daily. The study authors believe that coffee （in large quantities） and heart problems may be linked because excess caffeine consumption can cause high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Most people would agree that if you drink a lot of coffee, you might feel nervous and irritable （易怒的）.That's because caffeine helps your body work faster and harder, but it is also likely to suggest that you may have reached your limit for the time being. That doesn't mean that any and all coffee is bad for your heart, however. In fact, the researchers also found that participants who didn't drink coffee at all — and those who drank decaf — also had higher rates of heart disease （11% and 7% higher, respectively） than those who drank one to two cups per day. Previous research has found coffee is rich in antioxidants （抗氧化物质） and may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

1.What does the new study find?

A.People like to drink coffee in the office.

B.Coffee is more popular than tea among young people.

C.People tend to drink more coffee in the afternoon.

D.Too much coffee may be harmful to people.

2.What makes people take in caffeine faster?

A.The healthy dietary pattern. B.The specific gene CYP1A2,

C.The high blood pressure. D.The antioxidants in coffee.

3.What does the underline word “excess” mean in the third paragraph?

A.Extra. B.Less. C.Proper D.Average.

4.What does the author consider most important for drinking coffee?

A.The brand of coffee. B.The container of coffee.

C.The amount of coffee. D.The flavor of coffee.

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.A

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。研究发现，每天喝六杯或六杯以上的咖啡可能会增加人们患心脏病的风险。喝咖啡对人体有益，但要适量。

1.细节理解题。由第一段“ but a new study shows refilling your cup too often could be hurting your health.”可知，新的研究发现喝太多杯咖啡可能会伤害人的健康。D项意为“太多咖啡可能对人体有害”符合文意。故选D项。

2.细节理解题。由第二段“ Researchers from the University of South Australia also found a specific gene, called CYP1A2, which enables people to consume caffeine faster than those without it.”可知，研究人员发现，喝咖啡的人比不喝咖啡的人能更快地消耗咖啡因。因为他们体内有一种特殊的基因名叫 CYP1A2。所以B项符合文意。故选B项。

3.词义猜测题。由第三段“the study authors believe that coffee （in large quantities） and heart problems may be linked because excess caffeine consumption can cause high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”可知，大量的咖啡和心脏问题是有关系的。因为过量的咖啡因消耗会引起高血压，进而导致心血管疾病。前面第二段提到了喝过量的咖啡会更快地消耗咖啡因。由此可推断这里指coffee （in large quantities）会导致excess caffeine consumption。excess这里指“过量”。故选A项。

4.推理判断题。由最后一段“In fact, the researchers also found that participants who didn't drink coffee at all — and those who drank decaf — also had higher rates of heart disease （11% and 7% higher, respectively） than those who drank one to two cups per day. Previous research has found coffee is rich in antioxidants （抗氧化物质） and may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.”可知，研究人员也发现，从不喝咖啡或者喝无咖啡因咖啡的人要比那些一天喝一两杯的人患心脏病的几率更高。咖啡中的抗氧化物质可以减少患心脏病、中分和糖尿病的风险。前面的内容作者主要表达的喝太多咖啡对人体有害。综合文章内容可知，作者认为喝咖啡要适量，一天一两杯足矣。故选C项。