Question

Why do Americans struggle with watching their weight, while the French, who consume rich food, continue to stay thin? Now a research by Cornell University suggests how life style and decisions about eating may affect weight. Researchers conclude that the French tend to stop eating when they feel full. However, Americans tend to stop when their plate is empty or their favourite TV show is over.

According to Dr Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating as an important part of their life style. They enjoy food and therefore spend a fairly long time at the table, while Americans see eating as something to be squeezed between the other daily activities. Mercola believes Americans lose the ability to sense when they are actually full. So they keep eating long after the French would have stopped. In addition, he points out that Americans drive to huge supermarkets to buy canned and frozen foods for the week. The French, instead, tend to shop daily, walking to small shops and farmers' markets where they have a choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs as well as highquality meats for each meal.

After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of FrenchWomenDon'tGetFat, decided to write about the importance of knowing when to stop rather than suggesting how to avoid food. Today she continues to stay slim and rarely goes to the gym.

In spite of all these differences, evidence shows that recent life style changes may be affecting French eating habits. Today the rate of obesity—or extreme overweight—among adults is only 6%. However, as American fast food gains acceptance and the young reject older traditions, the obesity rate among French children has reached 17%—and is growing.

1.In what way are the French different from Americans according to Dr Joseph Mercola?

A. They go shopping at supermarkets more frequently.

B. They squeeze eating between the other daily activities.

C. They regard eating as a key part of their life style.

D. They usually eat too much canned and frozen food.

2.This text is mainly the relationship between ________．

A. Americans and the French

B. life style and obesity

C. children and adults

D. fast food and overweight

3.Where does this text probably come from?

A. A TV interview.    B. A food advertisement.

C. A health report.    D. A book review.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

【解析】文章大意：主要介绍了美国和法国的生活方式的不同，以及他们的生活方式与肥胖之间的关系。作者以为什么美国人在与肥胖作斗争而法国人享受着美食且保持身材苗条引出话题，并展开讨论。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段的第一句话中的“the French see eating as an important part of their life style”可知法国人将饮食当作生活的一部分，故选C。

2.主旨大意题。通读全文主要介绍了美国和法国的生活方式的不同，而且美国的饮食宜造成肥胖，而法国的饮食可保持身体苗条，也就是主要介绍的生活方式与肥胖之间的关系，故选B。

3.推理判断题。本文主要介绍了美国和法国生活方式的不同以及带来的体型变化等，故应是来源于健康报告。故选C。

【答案定位】本文主要介绍了美国和法国生活方式的不同以及带来的体型变化等，故应是来源于健康报告。

【名师点睛】主旨大意型

每篇文章都会有一个主旨要义。主旨要义型的题范围一般包括：短文标题、主题大意或段落大意等。

此题型要求考生在理解文章后归纳文章要点，概括中心思想。考生需要分析文章的篇章结构，抓住文章的开头或结尾，从而找出能概括文章的主题句。主题句的特点：(1)语言特点：归纳性、概括性、抽象性；(2)位置特点：主题句常出现在“总结性”语言的“信号词”后，如：in summary, in a word, as a result, finally, in short, in conclusion和in brief等；主题句常出现在“转移话题式”语言的“信号词”后，如：but, however, nevertheless，hence等。例如本题中的第2小题。

【答案定位】通读全文主要介绍了美国和法国的生活方式的不同，而且美国的饮食宜造成肥胖，而法国的饮食可保持身体苗条，也就是主要介绍的生活方式与肥胖之间的关系。