Running may feel like a big task for most of us. But do you know our species has evolved to run bett

Running may feel like a big task for most of us. But do you know our species has evolved to run better than any other animals on this planet? Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world. But do you know that humans can leave them in the dust? At least, in the long run, that’s right. When it comes to endurance, we can outrun cheetahs, wolves and even horses. So what makes humans such endurance running superstars? The secret weapon is our sweat. We have 2－4 million sweat glands(腺) all over our body, which means we can run and cool ourselves at the same time. Having no fur is also a huge plus. In contrast, dogs rely on panting(喘息) to cool down, and other animals, like horses and camels, also sweat, but less effectively. As a result, they overheat faster and must slow down sooner.
So, why did humans get to be such great endurance runners, anyway? Some experts believe this became important around 2－3 million years ago, when we started hunting. Because we couldn’t chase down a gazelle(瞪羚) like a cheetah, early humans learned hunting.
Studies show running can lower body weight and body fat. And the longer you train, the greater the benefits are. Just one year of training has been shown to reduce body weight by about 7 lbs, lower body fat by 2.7% and decrease resting heart rate by 2.7%.
It may seem really hard, or even impossible to run a mile or a marathon. But in fact, you were born to go on that run. We all were.
12. In the first paragraph, cheetahs are mentioned to ________.
A. show cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world
B. introduce humans can run fastest on the planet in the long run
C. contrast with wolves and even horses in one aspect of endurance
D. inform running may be a big challenge for most of us humans
13. Why can we humans be endurance running superstars?
A. We can pant to cool down our heat like dogs.
B. We can sweat effectively like horses and camels.
C. We have massive sweat glands and meanwhile no fur.
D. We can run and overheat fastest to cool down ourselves.
14. According to studies in the text, if you want to lose weight, what should you do?
A. Eat a variety of vegetables and less fat. B. Work out at the gym every day.
C. Exercise outside as much as you like. D. Conduct systematic training in running.
15. What does the author intend to emphasize in the last paragraph?
A. Humans have great running ability by birth.
B. Humans can chase down animals like cheetahs.
C. Marathoners don’t need hard training.
D. Running can lower body weight and fat.
【答案】