1．I. Vocabulary Skills（2 points）
Sometimes examples can explain the meaning of a word or phrase. For example, sun, rain, and wind are examples of kinds of weather. Look at the columns below. Match each vocabulary word or phrase in the first column with the examples in the second column. (0.4 points each)
kinds of extreme weather
Earth’s natural materials and gases
diseases or health disorders
seasons of the year
natural areas or regions of the earth
II. Reading Comprehension (5 points)
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Complete the following statements by choosing the best from the answers A, B or C. (1 point each)
Seasonal Affective Disorder: More than Just the Blues
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A Joshua dreads the winter months, not only because of the cold New England weather–the sleet, snow, wind, and rain–but because as the seasons change from summer to fall to winter, the days get shorter. As the days get shorter, he starts feeling depressed and irritable and spends more and more time at home, eating and sleeping. A graduate student in philosophy, Joshua finds that he gets little work done during the winter months and has trouble paying attention in class and concentrating on his research. \”I soon realized that what I thought was just the \’winter blues\’ was something more extreme than that.\” Josh visited a doctor who diagnosed him with SAD.
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B Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a kind of depression that occurs seasonally. It is associated with the long hours of darkness and lack of sunlight during the winter months (people with SAD usually feel worse from December through February). Scientists don\’t completely understand the exact causes of SAD, but they believe it is related to a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the basic part of the brain that controls the body\’s breathing, heartbeat, metabolism, and hormone release. The effects of SAD include moodiness, irritability, low energy, increased appetite for carbohydrates (foods such as potatoes, rice, and bread), difficulty concentrating, and the tendency to oversleep.
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C Although doctors described SAD for the first time in 1984, humans have probably dealt with the disorder for thousands of years. It is not a coincidence that many cultures have important celebrations during the short days of the winter months. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice celebrations all occur in December. These celebrations involve lighting candles in order to bring light, warmth, and happiness to an otherwise depressing time of year.
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D So what can SAD sufferers do to feel better? Naturally, they need more light. For people who have mild cases of SAD, exercising in the morning sun could be enough to help them. Phototherapy, or light therapy, is usually prescribed for people who have more serious cases of the disorder. In light therapy, patients sit in front of a light box, a strong artificial light, for up to four hours a day. Phototherapy is effective in over 80% of SAD cases, and patients usually see results within three to four days. Although the symptoms of SAD are similar to those of clinical depression, traditional antidepressants have not proven useful in treating SAD. While psychological counseling cannot treat the symptoms of SAD, it is recommended to help SAD sufferers learn to accept and deal with their illness.
2． Joshua starts feeling depressed and irritable in the winter because .
he gets little work done
he is a graduate student in philosophy
he suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder
3． Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a condition that researchers believe affects people during the winter months. Scientists believe it is caused by .
breathing, heartbeat, metabolism, and hormone release
lack of sunlight and a biochemical imbalance in the brain
moodiness, irritability, loss of energy, increased appetite, difficulty concentrating, and sleepiness
4． Humans have probably struggled with SAD since __.
1984
December
ancient times
5． People who suffer from SAD can __ to feel better.
do light therapy
eat carbohydrates
take antidepressant drugs
6． This passage talks about_____.
what the SAD effects are
how to help SAD suffers
Both A and B.
