C
Benefits of green spaces
We all know the value of taking a walk in the fresh spring weather. It allows your mind to relax and forget about the problems in everyday life. Studies have commonly shown the benefits of being around green spaces, including gardens, urban parks and forests.
But did you know that being in contact with these natural surroundings during childhood could positively impact your mental health as an adult?
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) surveyed 3,600 people from all over Europe, including Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania and the UK.
The all-adult study gave participants a questionnaire on how frequently they used natural spaces during childhood — for example, playing in a garden, riding a bike at the park or hiking in a forest. They were also asked about the importance they put on using such places.
Volunteers were then given a psychological test, which included a variety of questionnaires and problem-solving activities, to analyze their nervousness and feelings of depression (抑郁) within a four-week period.
The results consistently showed that the people who were more exposed to natural spaces had higher mental health scores compared to those with lower childhood exposure — as did those who attached higher importance to using green spaces.
The study’s coordinator (协调员), Wilma Zijlema, wrote that the results “show the importance of childhood exposure to natural spaces for the development of a nature-appreciating attitude and a healthy psychological state in adulthood”. She also stressed the importance of “recognizing the implications (含义) of growing up in environments with limited opportunities for exposure to nature”.
According to the study, 73 percent of Europe’s population only has limited access to natural spaces. Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, director of ISGlobal’s Urban Planning, said that “Many children in Europe lead an indoor lifestyle … so we call on policymakers to improve the availability (可得性) of natural spaces for children.”
While this study was based in Europe, a lack of green space can affect anyone, anywhere. So remember to make time to immerse yourself in nature, as your mental health is just as important as the physical one.
38. What was the purpose of the ISGlobal’s walking study?
A. To examine the advantages of taking a walk.
B. To understand the mental health problems of children.
C. To see how childhood experiences shape adult life.
D. To study the influence of childhood exposure to natural spaces.
39. What do we know about the study?
A. The participants included both children and adults.
B. The participants were from all over the world.
C. It focused on the participants’ physical health state.
D. It consisted of a questionnaire and a psychological test.
40 What do Paragraphs 7-8 mainly talk about?
A. The value of the study. B. The results of the study.
C. The method of the study. D. The process of the study.
41. What does the underlined word “immerse” in the last paragraph probably mean?
A. Protect against something. B. Understand something.
C. Lose oneself in something. D. Imagine doing something.
【答案】38. D    39. D    40. B    41. C
【解析】
【分析】
本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了一项对“绿色空间的好处”的调查研究，研究发现童年时接触自然环境会对成年后的心理健康产生积极影响。
38题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段But did you know that being in contact with these natural surroundings during childhood could positively impact your mental health as an adult?( 但你知道童年时接触这些自然环境会对成年后的心理健康产生积极影响吗？)及第三段A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) surveyed 3,600 people from all over Europe, including Spain, the Netherlands, Lithuania and the UK.(巴塞罗那全球健康研究所的一项研究调查了来自欧洲各地的3600人，包括西班牙、荷兰、立陶宛和英国)可推知，ISGlobal步行研究的目的是研究儿童接触自然空间的影响。故选D。
【39题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段中的The all-adult study gave participants a questionnaire on how frequently they used natural spaces during childhood(这项全成人的研究向参与者发放了一份问卷，询问他们在童年时期使用自然空间的频率)及第五段中的Volunteers were then given a psychological test(志愿者被给定一个心理测试)可知，这项研究由问卷调查和心理测试组成。故选D。
【40题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第七段中的The study’s coordinator (协调员), Wilma Zijlema, wrote that the results “show the importance of childhood exposure to natural spaces for the development of a nature-appreciating attitude and a healthy psychological state in adulthood”.(这项研究的协调人威尔玛·兹杰勒玛写道，研究结果“显示了童年时期接触自然环境对成年后培养欣赏自然的态度和健康的心理状态的重要性”)及第八段中的According to the study, 73 percent of Europe’s population only has limited access to natural spaces.(根据这项研究，73%的欧洲人只能有限地进入自然空间)可知，第七、八段主要讨论的是研究的结果。故选B。
【41题详解】
词句猜测题。根据全文内容可知，本文主要介绍了一项“绿色空间的好处”的调查研究，研究发现童年时接触自然环境会对成年后的心理健康产生积极影响。因此作者应该是呼吁人们去接触自然环境。由此推知，划线词immerse与Lose oneself in something.(使自己沉溺于某事)意思接近。故选C。
【点睛】做阅读理解时要结合原文和题目有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析，结合选项选出正确答案。如第2小题，What do we know about the study?要求判断出我们对这项研究了解什么。根据第四段中的The all-adult study gave participants a questionnaire on how frequently they used natural spaces during childhood(这项全成人的研究向参与者发放了一份问卷，询问他们在童年时期使用自然空间的频率)及第五段中的Volunteers were then given a psychological test(志愿者被给定一个心理测试)可知，这项研究由问卷调查和心理测试组成。故选D。