Question

If you’re showering every day, you’re probably over doing it. In fact, showering too often can actually hurt your body in the long run.

As Time’s public health column explains, daily showers are common due to social norms more than any proper health need. We connect being freshly showered with being attractive and pleasing, so we tend to showering often to feel better.

But what’s the ideal shower frequency? In terms of your health — not how you look or smell — probably once or twice a week, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University, Dr. C. Brandon Mitchell says. “Your body is naturally a well-oiled machine,” he says. “A daily shower isn’t necessary.”

Of course, your situation may vary. If you have a job like car maintenance or construction, you’ll obviously have a visible layer of dirt you’ll need to wash off every single day. Similarly, if you work out every day, you may not have any health risks by washing every day, but you’ll still be smelly. If you feel like you need to take daily showers for aesthetic(审美的) reasons, at least make most of them light showers. “I tell patients who shower daily not to soap their whole bodies,” Mitchell says. Hit your pits, butt and groin, which are the areas that produce strong smells. The rest of your body doesn’t need much soaping, he says.

Too much time spent under the hot water can dry out your skin, cause cracks（裂纹）that can lead to infections or germs getting into your skin, and take away the natural oils on your skin that help keep it healthy. So, even if you’re aiming to be your most presentable, be sure to keep it moderate to avoid hurting your skin in the long run.

1.According to the passage, why do most people shower daily?

A. To add to attraction.    B. To wash off dirt.

C. To meet health need.    D. To get relaxation.

2.Which of the following people might be advised to shower once or twice a week?

A. Car maintainer.    B. Office staff.

C. Building workers.    D. Gym-goers.

3.The underlined phrase “light showers” in Para. 4 refers to the showers in which ________.

A. bright lights are equipped    B. less hot water is used

C. gentle skin touches are allowed    D. a little soaping is involved

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. Showering Daily Becomes a Custom

B. Daily Shower Does No Good to You

C. You Probably Needn’t Shower Daily

D. Protect Your Skin When Showering

Answer

1. A

2. B

3. D

4. C

【解析】

本文是一篇科普类文章。本文主要讲了从长远来看，每天淋浴对身体健康有害。如果不是每天身上都会沾污垢或是每天都出很多汗的工作，普通人一周洗一两次澡足够了。

1.细节理解题。由第二段 We connect being freshly showered with being attractive and pleasing, so we tend to showering often to feel better.可知多数人每天淋浴是为了增加吸引力，故选A。

2.推理判断题。由第四段 If you have a job like car maintenance or construction, you’ll obviously have a visible layer of dirt you’ll need to wash off every single day. Similarly, if you work out every day, you may not have any health risks by washing every day, but you’ll still be smelly.可知每天身上都会沾污垢或是出很多汗的工作，才需要每天洗澡，A、C 和 D 的工作都属于这个类型，故选 B。

3.词义猜测题。根据下文“I tell patients who shower daily not to soap their whole bodies,” Mitchell says. Hit your pits, butt and groin, which are the areas that produce strong smells. The rest of your body doesn’t need much soaping, he says.可推断“light showers”指的是只在一些部位涂肥皂，而全身不需要太多肥皂的淋浴，故选D。

4.主旨大意题。本文主要讲了从长远来看，每天淋浴对身体健康有害。如果不是每天身上都会沾污垢或是每天都出很多汗的工作，普通人一周洗一两次澡足够了。所以这篇文章最好的题目是C（你可能不需要每天淋浴）。故选C。