We’ve all seen them: perfectly toned famous people on late-night television telling us that we too can develop rock-hard abdominal muscles（腹肌）. It’s easy! Just pay $149.99 for the Torso Track or $149.75 for the Ad-Doer and watch those unwanted inches leave your waist. Americans spend tens of million of dollars on various products to firm up their fat around the waist.

And did they work? Not necessarily. Independent studies have concluded that most of these products-no matter who approved them or how expensive they are-shape your midsection no better than old-fashioned stomach crunches（仰卧起坐）. Some can even cause injury-like the $518.99 Body Shaper-Q8SP, which left electrical burns on some researchers at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Others, like the popular Ab-Doer, trpically burn less energy than a gentle walk, according to a study to be published in September by the American Council on Exercise.

The fact is that many Americans don’t have the biological makeup to develop an obvious abdominal muscles. They are either unable to get the necessary muscle mass or they can’t lose enough fat to make a difference. Even if the underlying muscles are well developed, and it takes to hide it is one-sixteenth of tan inch of fat. That’s enough to dismiss most healthy women as well as plenty of guys who do crunches every day.

So what works best? In its new study, the exercise experts researched on the results of the popular Ab-Doer. A lengthy TV advertisement promises that just 10 minutes a day performing such movements as “Body Boogies” and “Good Mornings” will “help form those muscles the fun and easy way without diets.” Steven Loy, professor at California State University, Northridge, tested the promise by measuring the electrical activity produced by the abdominal muscles during three Ab-Doer movements. He and his colleagues then compared the results with those produced during traditional exercises. They determined that the muscles were no more active, and in some cases less so, when exercisers were using the Ab-Doer.

Taking a broader approach, researchers at San Diego State University compared 13 abdominal exercises for their ability to develop the central abdominal muscles. They concluded, in a report published in May, that the most effective exercises kept turning the body and worked the muscles the entire time. Among the winners: the bicycle movements-so called because it looks as if you are riding a bike while lying flat on the floor-and exercises performed on the “Captain’s Chair”, a product typically found in gyms that helps hold the body in the air while you raise your legs up toward your chest. Researchers suggested that a varied routine of the different exercises could deliver the best results.

1.Which of the following is the most effective in building abdominal muscles?

    A．Torso Track.                         B．Ab-Doer.

    C．Captain’s Chair.                                        D．Body Shaper-Q8SP.

2.According to the author, it’s difficult for many Americans to get visible firm abdominal muscles mainly because         .

    A．they do not put in enough efforts

    B．injuries interrupt their exercise frequently

    C．they change their exercise routine regularly

    D．how big their muscles will be is determined by birth

3.The author convinces the readers by        .

    A．describing successful eases          B．offering professional connects

    C．presenting findings of researches    D．comparing advertisements of products

4.What’s the main purpose of this passage?

    A．To research and develop in order to create the perfect stomach and exercise machine.

    B．To promote proven exercise techniques and to advise against false advertisements.

    C．To indicate that diet and exercises are necessary factors for a fit midsection.

    D．To sponsor rich healthy lifestyle based on advanced product research.

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题，每题3分，满分60分）

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。

www.bigisland. ong

One of the best Hawaiian travel sites – easy to use, and packed with a full – service menu: accommodations, activities (including description of individual beaches and golf courses), tours, and a section on the island’s volcanic personality – all with links for further information. Developed by the island’s visitors organization, it’s the best overall website on the Big island.

www.nps.gov/havo

A must – read for anyone planning to do some volcano visiting. At first glance, this Naticnal Park Service website for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is little more than a quick overview (总览), but click on the blue “In - depth” button for the full story. It is packed with both useful travel tips and advice that could even save your life; Read the well – illustrated section, “Viewing Lava(熔岩):Common Sense is Not Enough.” On a lighter note, the pages detail hiking trails throughout the park, with fine government maps and background on the wildlife. See the links page for three other, lesser – known NPS parks on the island. A superb site.

www.konaweb.com

Everything from a visitors’ guide to tips if you are planning a move to the islands, with numerous links. The overview of the island (and especially the beach scenery)

is worth a stop.

www.interpac.net/mtbike

First stop for mountain bikers. Produced by the island’s mountain bike association, it includes descriptions and maps for 10 public off – road trails and contacts for local bike shops.

www.Hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/hawaii.html

Brief illustrated guide to the island’s state parks, from the Hawaiian Department of Land and Natural Resources.

www.Coffeetimes.com

If you can resist the Kona coffee pages for a moment, check out the “Alternative Guide to the Big Island” at the bottom of the page. Also some interesting Big Island Links.

56．This passage is a(n)               .

      A．collection of travel links  B．introduction of mountain travel

       C．suggestion of travel outside     D．collection of traveling pictures

57．If you want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the islands, you can land the following website EXCEPT         .

       A．www.konaweb.com B．www.interpac.net/mtbike

       C．www.nps.gov/havo  D．www.Hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/hawaii.html

58．If a tourise wants to visit a dead volcano, he can           .

       A．go to the Hawaiian Department of Land

       B．have a dip into the links of the Big Island

       C．go to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park

       D．follow the off – road trails of mountain bikers

59．From the passage, we can infer that         .

      A．it is very dangerous to visit the Big Island

       B．all the links belong to the same website

       C．Coffeetimes has accesses to the Big Island website

       D．the writer encourages travelers in mountain biking

We’ve all seen them: perfectly toned famous people on late-night television telling us that we too can develop rock-hard abdominal muscles（腹肌）. It’s easy! Just pay $149.99 for the Torso Track or $149.75 for the Ad-Doer and watch those unwanted inches leave your waist. Americans spend tens of million of dollars on various products to firm up their fat around the waist.
And did they work? Not necessarily. Independent studies have concluded that most of these products-no matter who approved them or how expensive they are-shape your midsection no better than old-fashioned stomach crunches（仰卧起坐）. Some can even cause injury-like the $518.99 Body Shaper-Q8SP, which left electrical burns on some researchers at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Others, like the popular Ab-Doer, trpically burn less energy than a gentle walk, according to a study to be published in September by the American Council on Exercise.
The fact is that many Americans don’t have the biological makeup to develop an obvious abdominal muscles. They are either unable to get the necessary muscle mass or they can’t lose enough fat to make a difference. Even if the underlying muscles are well developed, and it takes to hide it is one-sixteenth of tan inch of fat. That’s enough to dismiss most healthy women as well as plenty of guys who do crunches every day.
So what works best? In its new study, the exercise experts researched on the results of the popular Ab-Doer. A lengthy TV advertisement promises that just 10 minutes a day performing such movements as “Body Boogies” and “Good Mornings” will “help form those muscles the fun and easy way without diets.” Steven Loy, professor at California State University, Northridge, tested the promise by measuring the electrical activity produced by the abdominal muscles during three Ab-Doer movements. He and his colleagues then compared the results with those produced during traditional exercises. They determined that the muscles were no more active, and in some cases less so, when exercisers were using the Ab-Doer.
Taking a broader approach, researchers at San Diego State University compared 13 abdominal exercises for their ability to develop the central abdominal muscles. They concluded, in a report published in May, that the most effective exercises kept turning the body and worked the muscles the entire time. Among the winners: the bicycle movements-so called because it looks as if you are riding a bike while lying flat on the floor-and exercises performed on the “Captain’s Chair”, a product typically found in gyms that helps hold the body in the air while you raise your legs up toward your chest. Researchers suggested that a varied routine of the different exercises could deliver the best results.
【小题1】Which of the following is the most effective in building abdominal muscles?

Sales of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, a hot item in consumer green tech, are expected to grow by more than 50% in North America during 2013. Actor William Shatner, who is no stranger to futuristic tech, recently purchased two e-bikes for him and his wife.

I’ve been shopping for an e-bike now for a few weeks, and I’ve had my eye on the folding electric bike. I’ve had folding bikes in the past and love the convenience of being able to throw my bike into my car.

The e –bike market is ready to go mainstream in the U.S. The price for e-bikes has come down greatly in rcccnt months. At one time. Most e-bikes with good components and proper weight were in the ＄3，000range. Now you can find reasonable quality c-bikes in the ＄1，000range. With gas prices at all-time highs, e-bikes are an attractive, low-cost option to gas efficient vehicles.

E-bike owners are finding that they arc great for commuting(每犬往返)to work, as  traditional bikes can be a problem with office dress and sweat．

People who use e-bikes range from commuters to casual cyclers who like a little help with hills and wind，to those who decided to save money on．buying a motor bike．These are not for the serious road cycler or professional mountain biker．

If you’re considering all e—bike, it pays to do some research first．Cheaper e-bikes are going to be heavier and have less battery．power．Higher priced bikes will be made from lighter materials and have better batteries．

Another consideration is local motor vehicle laws．For example，according to US federal law，as long as your electric bike is under 750 watts and does not go over 20 MPH then it is a bicycle and not a motor vehicle．Most consumer e—bikes in the ＄1，000 range don’t fit the motorized vehicle description．

66．The writer introduces William Shatner as an example in order to_______________．

A．show that he is wild about the future technology

B．tell us that he is an agent for the e—bike market

C．tell us that actors care only convenience no the price

D．show that c-bikes are really becoming popular now

67．Which of the following may not contribute to the e-bike’s going mainstream?

A．The price for e-bikes has. come down greatly．

B．E-bikes are much cheaper to use than gas vehicles．

C．The local motor vehicle laws ale not strict enough．

D．Some folding e-bikes are convenient to put into a car．

68．According to the text，e—bikes are practical for_______________．

A．serious road cyclers            B．couples spending a holiday

C．people commuting to work    D．professional mountain bikers

69．Which of the following about e—bikes is true?

A．The cheaper e-bikes are usually made of lighter materials．

B．Most c-bikes in the ＄l，000 range are a bicycle, not a motor vehicle．

C．Local motor vehicle law doesn’t have any limit to e-bikes．

D．E-bikes in the ＄l，000 range are too cheap to have better batteries．

70．What is the best title for this passage?

A．E—bike sales to shift into mainstream in 20l3

B．E-bikes，the future way of transportation

C．E—bikes Vs gas vehicles

D．E—bikes，actors’first choice