Doctors in Britain are warning of an obesity time bomb, when children who are already overweight grow up. So, what should we do? Exercise more? Eat less? Or both? The government feels it has to take responsibility for this expanding problem.
The cheerful Mr. Pickwick, the hero of the novel by Charles Dickens, is seen in illustrations as someone who is plump and happy. In 18th century paintings, beauty is equated （使…等同） with rounded bodies and soft curves. But nowadays being overweight is seen as indicating neither a cheerful character nor beauty but an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
So what do you do? Diet? Not according to England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson. He says that physical activity is the key for reducing the risks of obesity, cancer and heart disease. And the Health Secretary John Reid even said that being inactive is as serious a risk factor in heart disease as smoking.
So, having bought some cross trainers, how much exercise should you do? According to Sir Liam Donaldson, at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week. Is going to the gym the answer? Luckily for those who think that running machines are boring, the Health Development Agency believes that physical activity that fits into people's lives may be more effective. They suggest taking the stairs rather than the lift, walking up escalators, playing active games with your children, dancing or gardening. And according to a sports psychologist, Professor Biddle, gyms are not making the nation fit, and may even cause harm.
There's new scientific evidence that too much exercise may actually be bad for you. Scientists at the University of Ulster have found that unsuitable exercise releases dangerous free radicals that can adversely （oppositely） affect normal function in unfit people. The only people who should push their bodies to that level of exercise on a regular basis are trained athletes.
So, should we forget about gyms and follow some expert's advice to reduce sedentary （久坐不动的） activities and increase exercise in our daily life? After all, getting off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way can't do any harm! One final thought. How e past generations lacked gym facilities but were leaner and fitter than people today?
【小题1】Mr.Pickwick and the paintings of the 18m century are used as examples to show that .A．beauty should be overweightB．a fat man is usually a cheerful character C．fatness was considered something good at one timeD．fatness leads to an increased risk of disease【小题2】According to Sir Liam Donaldson, we should .A．go on a dietB．do regular physical activityC．give up smokingD．go to the gym【小题3】The underlined phrase cross trainers probably refers to .A．people who help you do exerciseB．places where you can do exerciseC．a kind of shoesD．a form of vehicles【小题4】At present being overweight indicates .A．an increased risk of diseasesB．a happier lifeC．a cheerful characterD．a beauty【小题5】What is the passage mainly about?A．how to keep fit and avoid fatness.B．increased risks for overweight people.C．the dangers of exercise in the gym.D．the benefit of a balanced diet.C
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(答案→)C
解析：文章大意：肥胖问题越来越严重了，然而，过量的锻炼对人体也有害，那怎么锻炼才健康呢？
【小题1】C 细节理解题。根据文章第二段第一句The cheerful Mr. Pickwick, the hero of the novel by Charles Dickens, is seen in illustrations as someone who is plump and happy.可知胖曾被看做是幸福。故C正确。
【小题2】B细节理解题。根据文章第四段中According to Sir Liam Donaldson, at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week.可知要有规律的体育活动。故B正确。
【小题3】C词义推测题。 根据本句后句how much exercise should you do?可以推测cross trainers为一种健身用的用品。故C正确。
【小题4】A细节理解题。根据文章第二段最后一句But nowadays being overweight is seen as indicating neither a cheerful character nor beauty but an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.可知现在肥胖被认为是增加疾病的危险。故A正确。
【小题5】A 主旨大意题。本文主要讲述越来越严重的肥胖问题，以及怎么解决肥胖问题，故A正确。