Question

【题目】The Science Behind Smiling

Not only does smiling reward our brain’s feel-good system, it also makes us look more attractive and lowers stress levels. In stressful situations, smiling is a great way to relieve extreme levels of stress and to keep your cortisol (皮质醇) levels under control.

Naturally, happiness can result in smiling. Also, smiling can actually create happiness. Smiling tricks our brains into believing we are happy, and one way it does this is by making us think of happier memories, which improve our moods.

When the smiling muscles in our face contract, it sends a signal to the brain to encourage the reward system that further increases our levels of endorphins, or happiness hormones (荷尔蒙). It can have the same effect on our happiness as eating chocolate or receiving a monetary prize.

Even though the exact relationship behind facial expression and mental state is largely unknown, it has been suggested that smiling reduces levels of the stress-inducing hormone cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol could potentially lead to cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and obesity, so it’s worth every effort to try to decrease our cortisol levels.

Research shows that when you smile, people treat you differently. Smiling instantly makes you appear more reliable, relaxed, sincere, and attractive. A study found that people who smiled more were rated as more attractive than those who avoided eye contact and didn’t smile at all.

Perhaps this is why celebrities (名人) invest in perfect smiles, often looking for porcelain veneers to give them flawlessly straight, white teeth. According to a cosmetic (化妆用的) dentistry practice in Boston, broken and stained teeth can make a person look older, while a brighter smile gives a look of health and youthfulness. Anyone you spot on television will more likely than not have a perfect smile. This gives them a youthful shine while at the same time making them look more attractive.

Smiling is an act that many of us may have to practice in order to make a regular habit. However, it’s a habit worth investing in, as smiling, happiness, and health have a scientifically proven link to one other. If you find it hard to smile, try being around people who tend to smile a lot. According to a Swedish study, it is difficult to keep a straight face when constantly faced with people who are smiling at you.

Title: The Science Behind Smiling

【1】_______________

【2】_______________

【3】_______________

【4】_______________

【5】_______________

【6】_______________

【7】_______________

【8】_______________

【9】_______________

【10】_______________

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】benefits/rewards/pays

【2】appearance

【3】true

【4】reduces/decreases/relieves

【5】health

【6】appreciated/loved/liked/trusted/respected

【7】invest/spend

【8】deserves

【9】habit

【10】easy/easier

【解析】文章介绍了微笑的好处，鼓励我们要多多微笑。

【1】由第一段的内容可知，微笑对我们有益。该空做谓语，根据主谓一致原则，该空填benefits，rewards或pays。

【2】由第一段中的“it also makes us look more attractive”可知，微笑可以使我们看起来有吸引力。即微笑可以改善我们的外表。故该空填appearance。

【3】由第二段中的“Naturally, happiness can result in smiling. Also, smiling can actually create happiness”可知，幸福感会导致微笑。同样，微笑也可以产生幸福感。即：相反的情况也是对的。故该空填true。

【4】由第四段中的“it has been suggested that smiling reduces levels of the stress-inducing hormone cortisol”可知，微笑可以减轻或缓解压力。故该空填reduces/decreases/relieves。

【5】由第四段中的“Increased levels of cortisol could potentially lead to cardiovascular disease, mental illness, and obesity”可知，幸福荷尔蒙会导致精神疾病，肥胖等情况。即：幸福荷尔蒙会引发和身体精神健康有关的问题。故该空应填health。

【6】由第六段的介绍可知，微笑使一个人更有吸引力。所以经常微笑的人可能会被别人喜欢或者尊敬等。故该空填appreciated/loved/liked/trusted/respected。

【7】由第六段中的“Perhaps this is why celebrities (名人) invest in perfect smiles”可知，名人们花很多时间或金钱来使自己的微笑看起来完美。故该空应填spend或invest。

【8】由最后一段中的“it’s a habit worth investing in”可知，微笑值得我们努力付出。故该空填谓语动词deserves。

【9】由最后一段中的“Smiling is an act that many of us may have to practice in order to make a regular habit”可知，我们应该养成微笑的习惯。故填habit。

【10】由最后一段中的“If you find it hard to smile, try being around people who tend to smile a lot”可知，如果你发现微笑很难，那么可以和经常微笑的人待在一起。那样，你就很容易微笑了。故该空填easy或easier。