PASSAGE 24 It was once believed that being overweight was healthy, but nowadays few people subscribe to this viewpoint While many people are fighting the battle to reduce weight, studies are being conducted concerning the appetite and how it is controlled by both emotional and biochemical factor Some of the conclusions of these studies may give insight into how to deal with weight problems For example, when several hundred people were asked about their eating habits in times of stress, 44 percent said they reacted to stressful situations by eating Further investigations with both humans and animals indicated that it is not food which relieves tension but rather the act of chewing A test in which subjects were blindfolded showed that obese people have a keener sense of taste and crave more flavorful food than non-obese people When derived of the variety and intensity of tastes, obese people are not satisfied and consequently eat more to fulfill this need Blood samples taken from people after they were shown a picture of food revealed that overweight people reacted with an increase in blood insulin, a chemical associated with appetite This did not happen with average-weight people In another experiment, results showed that certain people have a specific, biologically induced hunger for carbohydrates Eating carbohydrates raises the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain Enough serotonin produces a sense of satiation, and hunger for carbohydrates subsides Exercise has been recommended as an important part of a weight-loss program However, it has been found that mind exercise, such as using stairs instead of the elevator, is better in the long run than talking on a strenuous program, such as jogging, which many people find difficult to continue over periods of time and which also increase appetite Question What is the main purpose of the passage? A To discuss the healthy problems caused by being overweight B To recommend a weigh-loss program for the obese C To help overweight people overcome their eating problem D To present research into the factors causing obesity Question The author mentions people’s eating habits during times of stress to show that A overweight people are tense B thin people don’t eat when under stress C a large percentage of people deal with stress by eating D 56 percent of the population isn’t overweight Question The word ‘crave’ in paragraph is closest in meaning to A devour B absorb C sewn D desire Question The passage supports which of the following conclusions? A Thin people don’t enjoy food B A variety of foods and strong flavors satisfies heavy people C Overweight people have an abnormal sense of taste D Deprivation of food makes people fat Question According to the passage A insulin increases in the bloodstream when people eat large amounts of foo used to lessen the appetite D B insulin can be Page C insulin causes a chemical reaction when food is seen D insulin levels don’t change in average-weight people who see food Question The word ‘this’ in paragraph refers to A a reaction to a chemical B an increase in appetite C a revealing blood sample D an increase in blood insulin Question The word ‘subsides’ paragraph is closest in meaning to A declines B multiplies C conquers D suppresses Question What can be said about serotonin? A It is a chemical which increases appetite B Only certain people produce it in their brains C It tells the brain when a person is full D It neurotransmitters carbohydrates to the brain Question The author suggests that it might be good for people wanting to lose weight to all of the following EXCEPT A jog miles daily and look at pictures of food B walk up stairs and chew on carrot sticks C eat plenty of chewy carbohydrates D avoid stressful situations and eat spicy foods Question 10 Which one of the following exercises might be best for an overweight person to engage in daily? A An evening walk B A long swim C Cross-country skiing D 10-mile bicycle rides Page ĐÁP ÁN 1-D 2-C 3-D 4-B 5-D 6-D 7-A 8-C 9-A 10A LỜI GIẢI CHI TIẾT Question 1: to present research into the factors causing obesity = trình bày khảo sát tác nhân gây béo phì Question 2: a large percentage of people deal with stress by eating Thông tin đoạn sau: “For example, when several hundred people were asked about their eating habits in times of stress, 44 percent said they reacted to stressful situations by eating.” (Ví dụ như, hàng trăm người hỏi thói quen ăn uống họ lúc bị căng thẳng, 44 phần trăm nói họ phản ứng lại với trạng thái căng thẳng việc ăn.) Question 3: desire = thích thú Question 4: a variety of foods and strong flavors satisfied heavy people Thông tin đoạn sau: “A test in which subjects were blindfolded showed that obese people have a keener sense of taste and crave more flavorful food than non-obese people.” (một kiểm tra mà chủ thể bị bịt mắt cho thấy người béo phì thích mùi vị thích thú với đồ ăn nhiều vị người khơng béo phì.” Question 5: insulin levels don’t change in average-weight people who see food Thông tin đoạn sau: “Blood samples taken from people after they were shown a picture of food revealed that overweight people reacted with an increase in blood insulin, a chemical associated with appetite This did not happen with average-weight people.” (Các mẫu máu lấy từ người sau họ cho xem tranh đồ ăn cho thấy người thừa cân phản ứng với lượn insulin máu cao, loại hóa chất liên quan đến them ăn.) Question 6: an increase in blood insulin Thông tin đoạn sau: “Blood samples taken from people after they were shown a picture of food revealed that overweight people reacted with an increase in blood insulin, a chemical associated with appetite This did not happen with average-weight people.” (Các mẫu máu lấy từ người sau họ cho xem tranh đồ ăn cho thấy người thừa cân phản ứng với lượn insulin máu cao, loại hóa chất liên quan đến them ăn.điều không xảy với người có cân nặng trung bình.) Question 7: declines = suy giảm Question 8: it tells the brain when a person is full Page Thông tin đoạn sau: “In another experiment, results showed that certain people have a specific, biologically induced hunger for carbohydrates Eating carbohydrates raises the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain Enough serotonin produces a sense of satiation, and hunger for carbohydrates subsides.” (Trong thí nghiệm khác,các kết cho thấy số người định có cảm giác đói thơi thúc với carbonhydrate Việc ăn carbonhydrate làm tăng mức độ serotonin, chất dẫn truyền thần kinh não Lượng vừa đủ serotonin tạo nên cảm giác thỏa mãn giảm cảm giác đói carbonhydrate Question 9: jog miles daily and look at pictures of food Thông tin đoạn sau: “Exercise has been recommended as an important part of a weight-loss program However, it has been found that mind exercise, such as using stairs instead of the elevator, is better in the long run than talking on a strenuous program, such as jogging, which many people find difficult to continue over periods of time and which also increase appetite.” (tập thể dục phần quan trọng chương trình giảm cân Tuy nhiên người ta nhận thấy tập tinh thần ví dụ sử dụng bậc thang thay thang máy tốt việc nói chương trình vất vả bộ, điều mà nhiều người cảm thấy khó trì thời gian cịn làm tăng cảm giác them ăn.) Question 10: an evening walk = buổi chiều dạo Page