Unit 1 Living well
李仕才
***阅读理解。
For many people，being on the job might just sound like a picnic compared to a day at home filled with housework，meals and childcare.Even for those with a happy family life，home can sometimes feel more taxing than work.
In a new study，researchers at Penn State University found significantly and consistently lower levels of cortisol(皮质醇) released in response to stress，in a majority of subjects when they were at work compared to when they were at home.This was true for both men and women，and parents and people without children.
Both men and women showed less stress at work.But women were more likely to report feeli
ng happier there.Men were more likely to feel happier at home.Experts say there are other reasons why work is less stressful than home for many.“Paid work is more valued in society，” says Sarah Damaske, the lead researcher on the study.“Household work is boring and not particularly rewarding.”
We get better at our job with time and the increased competence means less stress and more rewards，Yet none of us，no matter how long we've been doing it，ever truly feels like an expert at parenting or even at marriage.
The support and friendship of co­workers also offer stress relief.At home，meanwhile，stress spreads and accumulates quickly.“That's the reason why most housewives wish they were the bread earners，” Dr.Damaske says.
Much of the advice to families and couples includes the warning to leave work stress at the office and even to change our mindset from work to home，for example，a walk around the block.The recent findings，though，suggest our home life，not our attitude，might be due for some change.
1．Which of the following can replace the underlined word “taxing”？
A．stressful      　B．cheerful
C．worthwhile  D．rewarding
2．What did the research in the second paragraph prove?
A．Men felt better at home.
B．Women felt they had less time.
C．Women were easier to feel happier.
D．Most people felt more stress at home.
3．What do most people think of work at the office?
A．It is competitive.
B．It improves ability.
C．It can't relieve stress.
D．It doesn't always pay off.
4．According to the recent findings，what should we change to solve the problem mentioned?
A．Our attitude.  D．Our mindset.
C．Our home life.  D．Our working style.
【解题导语】本文主要介绍了一项研究，该研究表明越来越多的人认为上班比在家做家务、做饭和带孩子更轻松一些。
【难句分析】In a new study，researchers at Penn State University found significantly and consistently lower levels of cortisol (皮质醇)released in response to stress, in a majority of subjects when they were at work compared to when they were at home.
分析：这是一个复合句。第一个when引导时间状语从句。第二个when引导宾语从句，做to
后边的宾语。
译文：在一项新的研究中，宾夕法尼亚州立大学的研究人员发现，比起在家里，大多数人在工作的时候，面对压力，他们的皮质醇水平显著且连续地降低。less is more英文理解
1．A　考查词义猜测。本题可利用句意推断法及语境分析法解题。根据第一段第一句“For many people，being on the job might just sound like a picnic compared to a day at home filled with housework，meals and childcare”可知，很多人认为与在家做家务、做饭和带孩子相比，工作像野餐一样。言外之意，上班比在家轻松，在家比上班更有压力。故选A。cheerful“快乐的，令人愉快的”；worthwhile“值得做的”；rewarding“值得做的，有意义的”。
2．D　考查细节理解。本题可利用分析长难句法解题。根据第二段内容可知，研究发现：比起在家里，大多数人在工作的时候，面对压力，他们的皮质醇水平显著且连续地降低，这项研究证明大多数人感觉在家更有压力。故选D。
3．B　考查细节理解。根据第四段的第一句“We get better at our job with time and the wards”可知，随着时间的推移，大多数的人在工作中能提高能力。故选B。
4．C　考查细节理解。根据最后一段的最后一句“The recent findings，though，suggest our home life，not our attitude，might be due for some change”可知，我们的家庭生活得以改变才能解决问题。故选C。
***语法填空。
A man named Bob May, depressed and broken－hearted, stared out his apartment window into the cold December night.
His 4－year－old daughter Barbara sat on his lap __1__ (quiet) sobbing.  Bob's wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand __2__ her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, “Can't Mommy be just like everybody else's mommy？” Bob's jaw tightened __3__ his eyes were filled with tears. Her question brought waves not only of grief, but also of anger. Life always had to be different for Bob.
As a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time __4__ (compete)
in sports. He was often called names he __5__ rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as __6__ copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression.