Before reading:

Read the following sentences and decide which word or phrase is nearest in meaning to the bold word:

1. Moving the old lady in this condition could have a detrimental effect on her health and she may feel worse.

1. useful b. harmful c. advantageous d. favorable

2. Scientists concluded that use of the drug suppressed the immune system and they stopped distributing it among pharmacies.

a.prevented the development b. improved the process

c. helped the immune system d. resulted in better condition

3. Lack of money will have an adverse effect on our research programme.

1. negative and unpleasant b. positive with good results

4. They hope the new rules will not stifle creativity which is very important for our projects.

1. improve and help to be better b. prevent from happening

5. Scientists have proved that stress and anxiety can have deleterious effects on health.

1. positive b. harmful c. beneficial d. constructive

6. He exerted all his authority to make them accept the plan.

a.used his power to affect b. improved his authority

c. made a big effort d. controlled by his authority

RESEARCHERS SAY JOGGING ALONE IS UNHEALTHY

A newly published report indicates that jogging could have adverse health effects, especially for those who do it alone. A team of researchers from Harvard University has suggested that going for a run in your own is not as healthy as previously believed and is nowhere near as beneficial as jogging as part of a group. They suggested it could actually be detrimental to ones health. Experiments conducted on rats indicated that running alone raises stress levels and stifles brain cell regeneration. Professor Elizabeth Gould, who led the research, said: These results suggest that, in the absence of social interaction, a normally beneficial experience can exert a potentially deleterious influence on the brain.

The researchers monitored two rats on exercise wheels. One group exercised alone- the other as part of a rodent jogging team. After two weeks, the scientists conducted test to ascertain the rate of brain cell growth in all the test animals. The results revealed that the communal joggers had double the amount of new brain cells as the solo runners. Professor Gould concluded that: When experienced in a group setting, running stimulates neurogenesis (brain cell growth). However, when running occurs in social isolation, these positive effects are suppressed. Joggers around the world should perhaps take the research with a pinch of salt and remember that jogging is healthier than the rat race.

Scanning Part:

Are the following statements TRUE or FALSE? Identify the part of the text that supports your answer.

a.Jogging with rats stimulates the brain cell production:

Evidence:

b.Jogging rats produce more brain cells if they do it in group:

Evidence :

Answer the following questions:

a.What does Professor Gould say about the results of the experiment?

b.What were her conclusions?

Skimming Part:

Answer the following questions using your own words but taking into account the information in the text:

a.According to the text, is jogging alone beneficial for our health?

b.Has this piece of research been tested on humans?

Choose A, B, or C in each question below. Only one choice is correct.

1.Some Harvard researchers claim that jogging alone:

a.Is not healthy.

b.Is as healthy as it was thought.

c.Is not healthy as it was thought

2.Jogging alone

a.Increases the production of brain cells.

b.Increases the size of the brain.

c.Reduces the production of brain cells.

3.The report suggest that if you decide to go jogging :

a.You should do it in your own.

b.You should do it with someone else.

c.You should do it when your brains tell you.