填空题
QUESTION 1
For this task, you will write a response to a question about a reading passage and a lecture. You may take notes, and you may use your notes to help you write your response. Your response will be scored on the quality of your writing and on how well you connect the points in the lecture with points in the reading. Typically, an effective response will have 150 to 225 words.
Research shows that some foods are endowed with super powers that provide protection against disease. By making these superpower foods part of your regular diet, you can stop the gradual changes in your body that lead to Alzheimer"s disease, cancer, and high cholesterol.
Studies on blueberries show that they have a positive effect on brain function and motor movement in aging rats. Blueberries also appear to prevent mental decline in mice that are genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer"s disease. Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, nutrients that neutralize the products of metabolism before they can harm brain cells. Researchers believe that blueberries protect the brain through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power. Just one cup of blueberries every day will reduce aging-related damage in your brain.
Other superpower foods are tomatoes and tomato-based products, which are the major source of many carotenoids including lycopene. Research shows that lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes, will lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Studies also show that the antioxidants in broccoli and cabbage will help prevent colon cancer.
Perhaps the most powerful superpower food is garlic, which has numerous health benefits. Studies show that garlic is the natural enemy of high cholesterol and cancer. Eating foods with garlic or taking garlic supplements will reduce LDL blood cholesterol and promote healthy blood circulation. Garlic contains germanium, an anti-cancer agent. In one study, mice that were fed garlic showed no cancer development, whereas mice that were not fed garlic showed at least some cancer activity.
Now listen to the recording. When you hear the question, begin your response. You may look at the reading passage during the writing time.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.
QUESTION 2
For this task, you will write an essay in response to a question that asks you to state and support your opinion on a topic. Your essay will be scored on the quality of your writing, including how well you organize and develop your ideas and how well you use language to express your ideas. Typically, an effective essay will have a minimum of 300 words.
Read the question below and make any notes that will help you plan your response. Then begin typing your essay.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
The government should require all young adults to perform some kind of national service, such as military service or social work.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
【正确答案】
1、Key points:
● The lecture states that the idea of superpower foods is exaggerated and the evidence is unscientific. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that research supports the concept of superpower foods.
● The lecture states that the research on blueberries and brain function was conducted only on rats and mice, not humans, so we cannot say the results are true for humans. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that blueberries have a positive effect on brain function.
● The lecture states that there is no direct proof that tomatoes, broccoli, and cabbage will prevent cancer. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that these vegetables help prevent cancer.
● The lecture states that a recent review of the evidence on garlic shows its effect on cholesterol to be unclear. The research on garlic and cancer was conducted on mice, not humans. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that garlic is a powerful superpower food with many health benefits. (4.1-4.5)
Responses will vary. (4.6-4.10)
【答案解析】
Key points:
● The lecture states that the idea of superpower foods is exaggerated and the evidence is unscientific. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that research supports the concept of superpower foods.
● The lecture states that the research on blueberries and brain function was conducted only on rats and mice, not humans, so we cannot say the results are true for humans. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that blueberries have a positive effect on brain function.
● The lecture states that there is no direct proof that tomatoes, broccoli, and cabbage will prevent cancer. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that these vegetables help prevent cancer.
● The lecture states that a recent review of the evidence on garlic shows its effect on cholesterol to be unclear. The research on garlic and cancer was conducted on mice, not humans. This casts doubt on the point in the reading that garlic is a powerful superpower food with many health benefits. (4.1-4.5)
Responses will vary. (4.6-4.10)
[听力原文]
The idea that certain foods have super powers is a big exaggeration. Most nutrition scientists question the evidence, and with good reasons.
First, the research on blueberries and brain function is very exciting, but this work has so far been conducted only on animals. The studies were done with rats and mice, not humans. There are no completed studies that show comparable results in people. Until we have data on humans, we can"t go around telling people that blueberries have super powers.
Second, while the evidence on some foods isn"t exactly wrong, it tends to be misleading because it doesn"t differentiate between direct evidence and speculation—guesswork. For example, it"s good to eat tomatoes because they"re full of nutrients, but we can"t promise that people who eat them aren"t going to get cancer. The same is true for broccoli and other vegetables in the cabbage family. They might prevent colon cancer, but we don"t yet have direct proof of this.
Third, the study claiming that garlic has the power to lower cholesterol probably isn"t true. According to a more recent review of the evidence, the effect of garlic on cholesterol is not clear. While garlic may produce a drop in cholesterol for the first three months, the decline disappears after six months. And the idea that garlic prevents cancer in humans is pure speculation because those tests were done on mice.
What I"m saying is, you have to realize that a lot of these so-called "studies" are poorly designed and unscientific. So when you read claims about certain foods, you have to distinguish direct, scientific evidence from simplifications, guesswork, and misleading statements.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific points made in the reading passage.