HUMAN BODY

1. People push their bodies to the limit in a variety of ways. Yet, when you consider that it takes as many as 100 muscles just to speak simple words, even everyday acts seem pretty impressive. This month, National Geographic takes a look at how our truly incredible bodies enable us to do the ordinary and the extraordinary in Incredible Human Machine. According to the article, what is incredible about the human body?. a) How it is able to cure serious diseases on its own. b) How its parts work together to allow many abilities. c) How it is superior to modern technology. d) How it enables everyone to sing beautifully.

When it comes to making music, the most impressive instrument might be the human vocal cords. These thin membranes are what enable speech and song. The vocal cords cover our throats just above the windpipe. As our breath passes through them, they open, close, vibrate, creating the sounds that we hear. One person who puts his vocal cords to the test on a regular basis is Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler. In Incredible Human Machine, the National Geographic Channel will examine his remarkable set of vocal cords in real time during a concert. The vocal cords function by ... a) allowing people to breathe through the windpipe. b) vibrating in response to music that is heard. c) opening and vibrating as air moves past them. d) providing a thin membrane for a musical instrument.

Yet, abilities such as speech and song can be damaged by injuries or diseases like brain cancer. In the recent past, brain cancer was an almost certain death sentence. Even when brain cancer could be treated, treating it often came with the high price of brain damage. Doctors now have the power to beat this disease while protecting the remarkable skills that make the human body so amazing. Incredible Human Machine lets you watch as doctors perform brain surgery while the patient is still awake to ensure that the power of speech is preserved. What was one of the negative effects of treating brain cancer in the past?. a) Damage to physical abilities. b) Being sentenced to death. c) Expensive medical bills. d) Patients waking up during surgery.

From recovering from injuries to simply walking around, our bodies possess endless abilities. Whether we're breaking records or just hanging out, we rely on 100 trillion cells functioning properly to live our lives. Watch the National Geographic Channel's Incredible Human Machine to see how they all fit together to make us who we are. Another way to say the phrase functioning properly in the fourth paragraph is ... a) happening constantly. b) thinking quickly. c) working well. d) moving correctly.

Did you know your body is teeming with an incredible variety of bacterial wildlife? A new study from the Washington University School of Medicine in the USA reports there to be around 10,000 different species of germs living on or in our body. Researcher Dr George Weinstock claims there is hardly a space or area that is not home to some form of bacteria – mostly good ones. However, the report says we all accommodate low levels of harmful microbes that can cause disease or infections. What does this new research report?. a) There are thousands of germs only inside our body. b) Germs produce illnesses. c) We are surrounded outside and inside by germs. d) Our bodies are not complicated species.

Researcher Dr George Weinstock said: "Our bodies are part of a microbial world." He claims there is hardly a space or area that is not home to some form of bacteria – mostly good ones. However, the report says we all accommodate low levels of harmful microbes that can cause disease or infections. Scientists say these bugs generally do no harm and live together with their friendlier counterparts who help protect our body and keep us in good health. What types of germs do we carry?. a) All of them are harmless. b) All of them are harmful. c) Most of them are harmless. d) Most of them are harmful.

Your heart is really a muscle. It's located a little to the left of the middle of your chest, and it's about the size of your fist. Where is the heart located?. a) There is no exact point for its location. b) It’s straight in the middle. c) None is correct. d) Next to the chest.

There are lots of muscles all over your body - in your arms, in your legs, in your back, even in your behind. Where else can you find muscles in your body besides the heart?. a) Only on the top part of the body. b) Everywhere. c) Everywhere except the brain. d) The heart is the only muscle.

9. The heart sends blood around your body. The blood provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs. It also carries away the waste that your body has to get rid of. Your heart is sort of like a pump. The right side of your heart receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs. The left side of the heart does the exact opposite. By the time you're grown up, your heart will be beating about 70 times a minute. Before each beat, your heart fills with blood. Then it contracts to squirt the blood along. When something contracts, it squeezes tighter. That's sort of like what your heart does so it can squirt out the blood. Which organ(s) directly works with the heart?. a) Kidneys. b) Lungs. c) Chest. d) Brain.

10. The ancestors of humans had a lot more hair than the humans of today; in fact, they had thick hair all over their bodies. This thick hair was necessary for protection against the cold of the Ice Ages. Which of the following is true about the hair of the ancestors of humans?. a) There was not much of it. b) It covered their entire bodies. c) It was thin. d) It was not useful.

As the Earth got warmer, the hair began to thin out, except for on the head. The head hair has remained through the evolutionary process, both as a sort of pillow to cushion the sensitive head when it gets banged around and as a sort of hat to keep the head warm and prevent so much heat from escaping through the scalp. What happened as the temperature on the Earth increased?. a) The hair on the head began to thin out. b) The hair on the body remained the same. c) The hair on the body got thicker. d) The hair on the body began to thin out.

12. Speakers of the same language, such as British, American, or Australian people, may not use the same body language and must adapt if they wish to communicate successfully. British people are said to be more reserved and formal, in general, and this is reflected in their body language. Americans are considered more open and outgoing, while Australians are seen as casual and relaxed. In general, Australians are seen as ... a) reserved and formal. b) casual and relaxed. c) open and outgoing. d) none of the above.

"Body language" is an important part of non-verbal communication. Body language includes many different aspects of our everyday physical behaviour: the way we greet one another; how we stand, how we sit or walk; the way we position our arms and legs or use our hands and eyes are some of the most basic. Which one of the following options is not an example of body language?. a) The way we stand. b) The words we use. c) The way we use our hands. d) a and b are correct.

Another common example of misunderstanding is the use of a smile. In some Asian cultures, a smile can show embarrassment or apology. However, smiling back at a teacher who is unhappy with you, or a stranger whose foot you accidentally stepped upon is probably not a good idea in most English-speaking cultures! Also, you should not assume that nodding your head means "yes" or that shaking your head means "no" or vice versa. Yes, you can even get that wrong, with potentially disastrous consequences. In all cultures, ... a) shaking your head means, "no". b) nodding your head means, "yes". c) nodding your head means, "no". d) none of the above.

We learn much of our own culture's body language before we learn to speak, from the time we are children, usually without even being aware of it. And that body language varies from culture to culture, so it's something to which second language learners should pay attention. Sometimes, cultural differences in appropriate body language can cause discomfort or misunderstandings too. For example, there are definite cultural differences in how much distance should be kept between two people who are speaking together. We should pay attention to body language because ... a) it varies from culture to culture. b) it may cause misunderstandings. c) a and b are correct. d) It is not said.

Just as you should not allow a fear of making language mistakes prevent you from speaking, you should not be overly afraid of using inappropriate body language in an unfamiliar culture. Most people will understand that people from different cultures may not always use body language in the same ways. All the same, it's definitely advisable to learn as much as possible about the body language of a new culture, and to use careful observation to avoid making any mistakes. Most people will understand cultural mistakes with body language, so ... a) we don't need to pay much attention to a new culture's body language. b) we should be extremely careful about our use of body language in a new culture. c) we should learn about a new culture's body language but not worry too much about making mistakes. d) none of the above.

When we communicate with others, we express our thoughts and feelings not only through the words we choose, but also through our tone of voice, facial expression and body language. In fact, many communications experts believe that far more information is communicated non-verbally (without words) than verbally (with words). "Body language" is an important part of non-verbal communication. Body language is a kind of non-verbal communication. a) Yes. b) No. c) It is not said.

18. Body language varies from culture to culture, so it's something to which second language learners should pay attention. So, how attuned are you to other people's body language? Try this little experiment. Turn the volume on the television right down while you watch people interact on the screen. You may find it is more difficult to understand what's happening between people from unfamiliar cultures. How can television or video help us understand more about body language?. a) Television and video let us listen more easily to the words people use. b) We cannot learn about body language from television or video. c) We can watch people interact without listening to the words they use. d) a and b are correct.

19. The same as I did in high school? Definitely not, no! For a start I look a lot older and I look the same in that I wore glasses then and I still wear glasses now but actually more often than not I wear my contact lenses now and I was smaller in high school. I looked probably a lot geekier, and yeah, now I just think I look a lot older really. What is different now?. a) She doesn’t wear her glasses much. b) Nothing. She looks exactly the same. c) She looks geekier. d) She wears smaller glasses.