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 concluded that the French tend to stop eating when they feel full. However, Americans tend to stop when their plate is empty or their favorite 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 high-quality meats for each meal.
After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, 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.
53. 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 lifestyles.
D. They usually eat too much canned and frozen food.
54. 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
55. The text is mainly developed __________.
A. by contrast B. by space C. by process D. by classification
56. Where does this text probably come from?
A. A TV interview B. A food advertisement
C. A health report D. A book review
【考点】考察社会生活类阅读
【文章大意】本文讲述的是生活发生和健康之间的联系，美国人很注意饮食但是仍然很胖，而法国人消耗了更多的食物，但是仍然很瘦。这主要是生活方式的问题。
53. 【答案】C
【试题解析】细节题。根据文章第二段第一行 According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating as an important part of their life style.可知在Dr. Joseph Mercola看来，法国人把吃看成是生活发生的一部分。而美国人认为吃是从其他的日常行为中挤出来的活动。这是两者最大的不同。故C正确。
54. 【答案】B
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章主题段第一段第一句 Why do Americans struggle with watching their weight, while the French, who consume rich food, continue to stay thin?可知文章讨论的是为什么美国人很注意饮食但是仍然很胖，而法国人消耗了更多的食物，但是仍然很瘦。这主要是生活方式的问题。在接下来的两段里，进行了详细的说明。也就说本文是关于生活方式和肥胖的关系。故B正确。
55. 【答案】A
【试题解析】推理题。本文中作者把美国人的生活方式和法国人的生活方式进行了比较，把这两个国家的肥胖率也进行了比较。照顾文章都是通过比较串联起来的。故A正确。
56. 【答案】C
【试题解析】推理题。本文讲述的是生活发生和健康之间的联系，说明这是从健康报道里摘录出来的。不可能是电视采访，广告或者书评。故C正确。
【长难句解析】
1.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.
【翻译】他们很喜欢食物，因此他们把很多时间都花在了餐桌上，然而美国人把吃看成是从其他的日常活动中挤出来的活动。
【分析】本句中的连词while表示“然而…”，是轻微的转折。另外句中有一个动词固定搭配see…as…把…看成…；
2.In spite of all these differences, evidence shows that recent life style changes may be affecting French eating habits.
【翻译】尽管有这些差异，也有很多证据说明最近生活方式上的变化也许也许到法国人的饮食习惯。
【分析】本句中的in spite of表示尽管…；后面要接名词或者动名词做宾语。动词show后面有一个宾语从句that recent life style changes may be affecting French eating habits。
