单选题 .  America is a country on the move. In unheard-of numbers, people of all ages are exercising their way to better health. According to the latest figures, 59 percent of American adults exercise regularly—up 12 percent from just two years ago and more than double the figure of 25 years ago. Even non-exercisers believe they would be more attractive and confident if they were more active.
    It is hard not to get the message. The virtues of physical fitness are shown on magazine covers, postage stamps, and television ads for everything from beauty soaps to travel books. Exercise as a part of daily life did not catch on until the late 1960s when research by military doctors began to show the health benefits of doing regular physical exercises. Growing publicity (宣传) for races held in American cities helped fuel a strong interest in the ancient sport of running. Although running has leveled off in recent years as Americans have discovered equally rewarding—and sometimes safer—forms of exercise, such as walking and swimming, running remains the most popular form of exercise.
    As the popularity of exercise continues to mount, so does scientific evidence of its health benefits. The key to fitness is exercising the major muscle groups vigorously (强有力地) enough to approximately double the heart rate and keep it doubled for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Doing such physical exercises three times or more a week will produce considerable improvements in physical health in about three months.1.  According to the passage, what was the percentage of American adults doing regular physical exercises two years ago? ______
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】 事实细节题    
   从第一段第三句“According to the latest figures, 59 percent of American adults exercise regularly—up 12 percent from just two years ago and more than double the figure of 25 years ago. ”可知根据最新的数据,定期运动的美国成年人为59%,这个数字比两年前高12%,由此可知两年前定期运动的美国人大致是50%。
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   美国是一个热爱运动的国家。不计其数的、各个年龄阶层的人都在为增进健康而锻炼。根据最新的数据显示,59%的美国成年人经常参加锻炼,这比两年前提高了12%,更是25年前的两倍多。即使那些不锻炼的人也相信如果他们能够更活跃一些,他们将会更具有吸引力、更加自信。
   现在很难避开这样的消息。身体健康的优点显示在杂志封面上、邮票上和从香皂到旅行的书籍的一切电视广告上。直到20世纪60年代末期,当军医通过研究表明有规律的体力运动对健康有益时,运动才开始作为日常生活的一部分逐渐盛行起来。对在美国城市里举行的比赛的不断增多的宣传点燃了人们对跑步这项古老运动的强烈兴趣。虽然跑步近几年来已趋平稳,由于美国人又发现了同样有益,有时甚至更安全的运动,如散步、游泳,但是跑步仍然是最流行的运动形式。
   随着普及运动的不断发展,科学证据也不断表明锻炼对健康的好处。健身运动的关键是要强有力地锻炼肌肉群以让心率增加一倍,并保持20至30分钟一次。这样的体育锻炼每周做三次或三次以上,就会在大约三个月的时间里使身体的健康状况大有改观。