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EXERCISE:
It sounds contradictory, but here is some new advice for people who are feeling unusually tired: get out and get some exercise. Studies have shown that regular, low-impact workouts such as short strolls or brief bike rides can help increase overall energy levels by 20 percent and decrease fatigue levels by 65 percent. In other words, if you are feeling tired, the best way to feel more energetic is to get some exercise.
This advice is based on a study done by the University of Georgia's Exercise Pathology Lab. Three dozen people who did not get any kind of regular exercise yet consistently felt exhausted were divided into three groups. One group did not exercise at all. A second group worked out intensively on an exercise bike three times a week. The third group also worked out but at a slower pace. Of the two groups that exercised, both reported a 20 percent increase in energy levels. However, the group that exercised at a more leisurely pace stated that they experienced far less fatigue than the high-intensity group.
This was not the first study to point out a link between regular exercise and energy levels. The same team that conducted it also published one several years ago that stated that low-impact exercise can also help reduce fatigue in patients with serious health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Clearly, it is time to get off the couch and onto the track.
The word 'track' as used in the last paragraph of the passage can best be defined as ___________.
- A. Keep a record of
- B. A new attitude
- C. Follow carefully
- D. A paved, circular path
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of the passage, 'track' refers to a 'paved, circular path' for running or walking. The last sentence of the passage encourages people to get off the couch and onto the track, indicating a physical path for exercise. Choice A, 'Keep a record of,' is incorrect as the context does not suggest any relation to recording information. Choice B, 'A new attitude,' is unrelated to the context of exercise and fatigue reduction. Choice C, 'Follow carefully,' does not fit the context of physical activity and energy levels discussed in the passage.
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SLEEP:
When most people think about taking a nap, they typically envision being down for the count for at least an hour or two. A German stuWhen most people think about taking a nap, they typically envision being down for the count for at least an hour or two. A German study, however, has shown that if you really want to refresh your brain, a six-minute catnap will do it. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your ability to learn and remember will have improved as well.
As described in a recent article in the Journal of Sleep Research, students at the University of Dusseldorf participated in experiments in which they had to memorize a list of words and then either take a nap or play a video game. The ones who napped scored consistently higher than those who stayed awake. The study may help scientists learn more about what happens when people go to sleep. They already know that the brain undergoes a number of significant changes in the process. "There are dramatic shifts in brain chemistry and electrophysiology," said Dr. Matthew Tucker, researcher at Harvard University School of Medicine and the Center for Sleep and Cognition. "For example, we know that levels of the transmitter acetylcholine go down. And we think that when acetylcholine gets to a low point, it should have an enhancing effect on memory."
Experts believe that sleeping is the brain's chance to decide which details and memories from the day need to be placed in permanent storage and which ones need to be thrown out. It has to do this because there is only so much room in the brain for information. Of course, those catnaps may be wonderful, but they can never replace the value of a solid eight hours of sleep. As Dr. Olaf Lahl, the study's lead author, remarks, "A regular sleep schedule still plays an important role in overall well-being and health."dy, however, has shown that if you really want to refresh your brain, a six-minute catnap will do it. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your ability to learn and remember will have improved as well. As described in a recent article in the Journal of Sleep Research, students at the University of Dusseldorf participated in experiments in which they had to memorize a list of words and then either take a nap or play a video game. The ones who napped scored consistently higher than those who stayed awake. The study may help scientists learn more about what happens when people go to sleep. They already know that the brain undergoes a number of significant changes in the process. “There are dramatic shifts in brain chemistry and electrophysiology,†said Dr. Matthew Tucker, researcher at Harvard University School of Medicine and the Center for Sleep and Cognition. “For example, we know that levels of the transmitter acetylcholine go down. And we think that when acetylcholine gets to a low point, it should have an enhancing effect on memory.†Experts believe that sleeping is the brain's chance to decide which details and memories from the day need to be placed in permanent storage and which ones need to be thrown out. It has to do this because there is only so much room in the brain for information. Of course, those catnaps may be wonderful, but they can never replace the value of a solid eight hours of sleep. As Dr. Olaf Lahl, the study's lead author, remarks, “A regular sleep schedule still plays an important role in overall well-being and health.â€
What is the meaning of the word 'shifts' as used in the third paragraph?
- A. Alterations
- B. Stints
- C. Removals
- D. Transfers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this context, 'shifts' refers to changes or alterations in brain chemistry and electrophysiology. The word 'alterations' best captures the idea that significant changes are occurring in the brain. 'Stints' (choice B) refer to short periods of time or work, which is not the meaning intended here. 'Removals' (choice C) and 'transfers' (choice D) do not fit the context of the sentence and are not related to the changes happening in the brain as described in the extract.
VEGETERIAN DIET:
By studying the role diet might have in the prevention of cancer, recent studies have also noted that a vegetarian, or meatless, diet can help improve a person's overall health. A true vegetarian diet consists of a variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and pulses—edible seeds from legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils. A modified vegetarian diet, known as lacto-ovo vegetarian, may include dairy products and eggs. A vegan diet excludes any food with animal origins, including butter, eggs, and honey.
When properly planned, a true vegetarian diet can provide a person with all essential nutrients, protein, and carbohydrates. In one study, researchers at Oxford University noted that overall, a vegetarian diet is lower in saturated fats and higher in fiber than other diets. The study noted that people who followed a vegetarian diet were generally found to have lower cholesterol and lower BMI (a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height) and to be at a lower risk for certain types of heart disease. From the evidence presented, researchers suggested that the adoption of a vegetarian diet could prevent more than 30,000 deaths a year that are attributed to heart disease.
Other available information indicates that vegetarians live, on average, seven years longer than meat eaters do. Throughout the world, breast, colon, and prostate cancers are more common among people who have a high-fat, high-meat, low-fiber diet. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Coop has said that diet is a factor in 70 percent of all people who die from disease in the United States. On the whole, vegetarians are less likely to be afflicted with chronic diseases than those who make meat a centerpiece of their diet.
What is the author's attitude toward vegetarianism?
- A. Scoffing
- B. Positive
- C. Cautious
- D. Uninterested
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author presents a positive view of vegetarianism, citing benefits and supporting evidence.
EATING DISORDERS:
It is hard to imagine how the eating disorders anorexia and bulimia could be any worse than they already are, but somehow people have found a way. Known unofficially as drunkorexia, this condition is a blend of self-imposed starvation or binging and purging mixed with alcohol abuse. Anorexics may use alcohol either to soothe their conscience for eating something they feel they should not, or as their only sustenance. Bulimics binge on alcohol for emotional reasons and then purge by vomiting it back up.
Our current culture's obsession with thinness, coupled with widespread acceptance of drug and alcohol abuse, have made this combination particularly attractive. Dr. Doug Bunnell, former president of the National Eating Disorders Association, said, "Binge drinking is almost cool and hip, and losing weight and being thin is a cultural imperative for young women in America. Mixing both is not surprising, and it has reached a tipping point in terms of public awareness."
Some experts are beginning to explore the possible psychological and neurological links between eating disorders and substance abuse. Does eating or binging somehow trigger the same pleasure centers as drugs or alcohol? Another avenue being explored is what to do if a person has both conditions. Treatment for addiction is abstinence, but no one can abstain completely from food. As Dr. Kevin Wandler, vice president for medical services at an eating disorders center, phrases it, "Eating normally would be an effective behavior, but it's easier to give up alcohol and drugs because you never need them again. If your drug is food, that's a challenge."
What is the meaning of the word 'abstain' as used in the last paragraph?
- A. Dishonor
- B. Go without
- C. Connect to
- D. Liberate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of the passage, 'abstain' means to refrain from or go without. The passage discusses the challenges of treating individuals with both eating disorders and substance abuse issues. It mentions that while treatment for addiction involves abstinence, it is not possible to completely abstain from food. This highlights the meaning of 'abstain' as 'go without' in this context. The other choices are incorrect: 'Dishonor' does not relate to abstain, 'Connect to' is not synonymous with abstain, and 'Liberate' does not align with the context of the passage.
OSTEOPOROSIS:
Almost everyone knows, thanks to everything from newspaper articles to endless television commercials, that bone density is a major health concern for women. Osteoporosis has become a familiar term, and more and more women are booking bone density tests to make sure all is well underneath the skin. In all the hype, however, there are certain people who are being overlooked: men. It appears that older men need routine checks for bone thinning as well.
A new computerized tool sponsored by the World Health Organization is being used to identify the people most at risk for experiencing a broken bone. One of its findings is that men older than 70 years of age should have a bone mineral density x-ray test on a regular basis. This tool, called FRAX, calculates the risk of a person experiencing a hip, wrist, shoulder, or spine fracture within the next decade. Those tested were age 40 or older and either had osteoporosis or low bone mass.
FRAX takes many different elements into consideration when figuring a person's risk level. It factors in diet, exercise, and exposure to sunlight, for example. It also looks at where people live, what genetic factors might be involved, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and the use of steroids. The National Osteoporosis Foundation has used the FRAX predictions to create updated guidelines. Their new recommendations not only include bone density tests for men but also a stronger emphasis on the importance of weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises and an increased amount of vitamin D supplementation.
What conclusion can you draw from the first sentence of the passage?
- A. Osteoporosis is more common than anyone previously imagined.
- B. The media give a lot of overall coverage to osteoporosis.
- C. Only women are at high risk for developing bone thinning.
- D. Thinning bones is not considered a serious medical problem.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The first sentence suggests that osteoporosis receives significant media coverage, indicating that the media gives a lot of overall coverage to the issue. This conclusion can be drawn as the passage mentions how osteoporosis is a major health concern for women and is widely covered in newspapers and television commercials. Choice A is incorrect because the passage does not mention the prevalence of osteoporosis compared to previous estimates. Choice C is incorrect as the passage highlights that men are being overlooked in terms of bone thinning concerns. Choice D is incorrect as the passage emphasizes the seriousness of bone thinning and the need for preventive measures.
SLEEP:
When most people think about taking a nap, they typically envision being down for the count for at least an hour or two. A German stuWhen most people think about taking a nap, they typically envision being down for the count for at least an hour or two. A German study, however, has shown that if you really want to refresh your brain, a six-minute catnap will do it. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your ability to learn and remember will have improved as well.
As described in a recent article in the Journal of Sleep Research, students at the University of Dusseldorf participated in experiments in which they had to memorize a list of words and then either take a nap or play a video game. The ones who napped scored consistently higher than those who stayed awake. The study may help scientists learn more about what happens when people go to sleep. They already know that the brain undergoes a number of significant changes in the process. "There are dramatic shifts in brain chemistry and electrophysiology," said Dr. Matthew Tucker, researcher at Harvard University School of Medicine and the Center for Sleep and Cognition. "For example, we know that levels of the transmitter acetylcholine go down. And we think that when acetylcholine gets to a low point, it should have an enhancing effect on memory."
Experts believe that sleeping is the brain's chance to decide which details and memories from the day need to be placed in permanent storage and which ones need to be thrown out. It has to do this because there is only so much room in the brain for information. Of course, those catnaps may be wonderful, but they can never replace the value of a solid eight hours of sleep. As Dr. Olaf Lahl, the study's lead author, remarks, "A regular sleep schedule still plays an important role in overall well-being and health."dy, however, has shown that if you really want to refresh your brain, a six-minute catnap will do it. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your ability to learn and remember will have improved as well. As described in a recent article in the Journal of Sleep Research, students at the University of Dusseldorf participated in experiments in which they had to memorize a list of words and then either take a nap or play a video game. The ones who napped scored consistently higher than those who stayed awake. The study may help scientists learn more about what happens when people go to sleep. They already know that the brain undergoes a number of significant changes in the process. “There are dramatic shifts in brain chemistry and electrophysiology,†said Dr. Matthew Tucker, researcher at Harvard University School of Medicine and the Center for Sleep and Cognition. “For example, we know that levels of the transmitter acetylcholine go down. And we think that when acetylcholine gets to a low point, it should have an enhancing effect on memory.†Experts believe that sleeping is the brain's chance to decide which details and memories from the day need to be placed in permanent storage and which ones need to be thrown out. It has to do this because there is only so much room in the brain for information. Of course, those catnaps may be wonderful, but they can never replace the value of a solid eight hours of sleep. As Dr. Olaf Lahl, the study's lead author, remarks, “A regular sleep schedule still plays an important role in overall well-being and health.â€
Sleeping apparently helps with everything EXCEPT ___________.
- A. Fatigue
- B. Memory
- C. Learning
- D. Appetite
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Based on the provided extract, sleeping helps with fatigue, memory, and learning. The passage mentions how a nap can refresh the brain, improve the ability to learn and remember, and enhance memory. However, the extract does not mention anything about sleeping helping with appetite. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Choices A, B, and C are supported by the content of the passage, emphasizing the positive effects of sleep on fatigue, memory, and learning.