英语听力精选进阶版 6351

Lack of exercise could be causing as many deaths around the world as smoking, according to an article in the science magazine The Lancet.

As thousands of Olympic athletes prepare to push their bodies to the limit, most of us sit inactive for hours in front of a TV set.

But the scientists say they are not suggesting difficult gym sessions. As Pamela Das from The Lancet puts it: "It is not about running on a treadmill¹, whilst listening to your iPod."

The aim is to encourage everyone to think about fitness and build physical activity into their daily lives, such as brisk walking, gardening or any energetic pursuit.

Despite the familiarity of the message, one in three adults worldwide fails to do the recommended 150 minutes of moderate aerobic² physical activity per week.

So, rather than stressing the health benefits of a good workout, The Lancet researchers have decided³ to show the harm caused by inactivity. They estimate lack of exercise is responsible for about 5.3m deaths a year: about the same number as smoking.

Sitting around doing nothing can lead to coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes⁴, and breast and bowel⁵ cancers.

The data might lack muscle as scientists have had to rely on questionnaires sent out to 122 countries in which people report their own levels of activity. It must also be difficult to separate the impact of obesity⁶ from the figures.

But Dr I-Min Lee, from Harvard Medical School, says they were very cautious: "Our estimates of ill-health from lack of physical activity are on the low side."

The researchers say the problem of inactivity has reached pandemic levels, with far-reaching health and social consequences. They call for a radical⁷ re-think in how to deal with the issue.

Quiz 测验

1. According to the article, what are most people doing while Olympic athletes compete?

Sitting inactive in front of the TV.

2. What's the objective of this research?

To encourage people to be more active every day.

3. Is this true, false or not given? The researchers interviewed people from 122 countries.

False. The researchers had to send questionnaires to these countries.

4. What phrase in the article suggests that the results of the research aren't strong?

The data might lack muscle.

5. What phrasal verb means 'to depend on something or someone'?

To rely on (something or someone).

Glossary 词汇表

to push (their bodies) to the limit 把（身体）推到了极限

inactive 不活跃的

a gym session 一次健身课

a treadmill 一台跑步机

fitness 健身

physical activity 体力活动，锻炼

a brisk walk 快步行走

a pursuit 一个追求

familiarity 熟悉

moderate 温和的

health benefit 健康益处

a workout 一次锻炼

coronary heart disease 冠心病

muscle （肌肉）此处指可信度

to rely on 依靠于

obesity 肥胖症

ill-health 不健康，身体不好

1 treadmill   

n.踏车；单调的工作

参考例句：

• The treadmill has a heart rate monitor.跑步机上有个脉搏监视器。
• Drugs remove man from the treadmill of routine.药物可以使人摆脱日常单调的工作带来的疲劳。

2 aerobic   

adj.需氧的，增氧健身法的，有氧的

参考例句：

• Aerobic exercise helps to build up stamina.有氧健身操有助于增强耐力。
• Aerobic dance is conductive to the health.有氧舞蹈有助于健康。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。

5 bowel   

n.肠(尤指人肠)；内部，深处

参考例句：

• Irritable bowel syndrome seems to affect more women than men.女性比男性更易患肠易激综合征。
• Have you had a bowel movement today?你今天有排便吗？

6 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。

7 radical   

n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的

参考例句：

• The patient got a radical cure in the hospital.病人在医院得到了根治。
• She is radical in her demands.她的要求十分偏激。