四级真题2024年12月第三套 Passage Two
四级真题2024年12月第三套 Passage Two


①　Do you ever blend up a protein drink for breakfast, or grab a protein bar following an afternoon workout? If so, you are likely among the millions of people in search of more protein- rich diets.

②　Protein-enriched products are found everywhere. But contrary to all the publicity that everyone needs more protein, most Americans get twice as much as they need.
③　Many of us living in the most developed countries are buying into a myth of protein deficiency created by food companies and self-identified health experts. Global retail sales of protein supplement products reached an astonishing US$18.9 billion in 2020.
④　But are we really in need of more protein? Physicians in the U.S. have never actually examined a patient with protein deficiency because simply by eating an adequate number of daily calories we are also most likely getting enough protein.
⑤　In fact, Americans currently consume almost twice the National Academy of Medicine’s recommended daily intake of protein although the most desirable protein intake may vary depending on age and activity level.
⑥　For example, if you’re a dedicated athlete you might need to consume higher quantities of protein. Generally, though, a 140-pound person should not exceed 120 grams of protein per day, particularly because a high protein diet can strain kidney and liver function and increase risks of developing heart disease and cancer.
⑦　While fats and sugar have taken the beating in turns since over a century ago, protein has managed to remain our red-hot favorite.
⑧　In the 1970s through the 1990s, protein products remained visible but moved backsomewhat with the dietary spotlight firmly fixed on low-calorie, low-fat, sugar-free snack foods and beverages following the publication of studies linking sugar and saturated (饱和的) fat consumption to heart disease.
⑨　Later research in 2003, however, suggested high-protein diets could aid in weight loss, and protein quickly regained its former nutrient-superstar status.
⑩　Now most people living in high-income nations are consuming enough protein. When we replace meals with a protein bar or drink, we also risk missing out on the rich sources of antioxidants (抗氧化剂), vitamins and many other benefits of real food.

1.1. What do we learn about publicity over protein in America?

A It has helped to create the myth of protein deficiency.

B It has helped Americans in search of protein-rich diets.

C It has raised a lot of health concerns among the public.

D It has been funded by food companies and health experts.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据题干关键词publicity over protein in America可定位到原文第二段。该段提到，与每个人都需要更多蛋门质的宣传相反，大多数美国人摄人的蛋白质是他们所需量的两倍。随后第三段进一步指出，我们许多生活在最发达国家的人们都相信了一个由食品公司和自诩为健康专家的人创造的蛋白质缺乏的错误观念，这表明美国对蛋白质的宜传助长了蛋白质缺乏的错误观念，故本题选A。原文并没有提到对蛋白质的宣传为美国人寻找富含蛋白质的饮食提供了帮助，也没有提到宣传引起了健康担忧或得到了资助，故B、C、D二项可排除。

2.2. Why have physicians in the U.S. never actually examined a patient with protein deficiency?

A Americans can purchase many kinds of protein-rich foods everywhere.

B Americans can absorb the number of calories recommended by food experts.

C Americans can get sufficient protein just by eating adequate foods daily.

D Americans can rely on food supplements to prevent protein deficiency.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据题干关键词physicians in the U.S. never actually examined a patient with protein deficiency叫以定位到第四段第二句。该句指出，美国的医生从未真正检查过蛋白质缺乏症患者，因为只要每天摄人足够的热量，我们就很可能也摄入了足够的蛋白质。原义明确指出美国人通过正常饮食就能获得足够的蛋白质，而不是通过购买富含蛋白质的食品、摄入专家建议的热量或依赖食品补充剂来获取充足的蛋白质，故选项C正确，选项A、B、D均可排除。

3.3. What should people take into consideration in deciding on the most preferable protein intake?

A How healthy they are and what food they eat.

B How old they are and what activities they do.

C How much protein they consume and what their body weight is.

D How serious their protein deficiency is and what remedies they use.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据题干关键词the most preferable protein intake可以定位到原文第五段。题干中的preferable和该段中的desirable是同义替换。该段指出，事实上，美国人目前的蛋白质摄入量几乎是美国国家医学科学院建议的每口蛋白质摄入量的两倍，尽管最理想的蛋白质摄人量可能因年龄和活动水平而有所不同。这表明年龄和活动水平是决定最理想蛋白质摄人量的重要因素，故选项B正确。文章没有提到健康状况、吃的食物、蛋白质摄入量、体重或蛋白质缺乏的严重程度及补救措施是决定蛋白质摄入量的因素，故选项A、C、D可排除。

4.4. What foods have been largely out of favor for more than a century?

A Sugar-free snacks.

B Protein-rich foods.

C Both red and white meats.

D Sugary and fatty foods.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据题干关键词a century可以定位到原文第七段。题十中的been largcly out offavor表示“基本不再受欢迎或重视”，和原文中的have taken the beating是同义替换;题干中的more than是原文中over的同义替换。该段指出，一个多世纪以来，脂肪和糖一直轮流受到攻击，而蛋白质却一直是我们的最爱。由此可知，含糖和高脂肪的食物是不受人们欢迎的，选项D正确。据此选项A、B、C均可排除。

5.5. What does the author imply people in developed countries should do to keep healthy?

A Enjoy natural food.

B Eat vegetarian diets.

C Consume enough protein daily.

D Replace meals with protein bars.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。最后一段第一句指出，现在，大多数生活在高收入国家的人都摄入了足够的蛋白质，并没有提到每天摄入足够的蛋白质是保持健康的方法，故排除选项C。随后第二句指出，当我们用蛋白质棒或蛋白饮料代替正餐时，我们也有可能错过真正食物中丰富的抗氧化剂、维生素和许多其他有益物质。这暗示了作者认为人们应该更多地享用天然食品，而不是过度依赖蛋白质补充品，故本题应选A，选项D可排除。原文并未提到吃素食，故选项B可排除。