Watching sad or traumatic movies can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered. A new study reveals that watching distressing movies may boost our tolerance to pain. Researchers at Oxford University say that movies that get your emotions going can increase the amount of endorphins released by the brain. These are our body's natural painkillers—chemicals that make us feel better after physical or psychological pain. Dr Robin Dunbar, a co-author of the study, explained that, "Maybe the emotional distress you get from tragedy triggers the endorphin system."
Dr Dunbar and his colleagues conducted a series of tests to determine the effect that tragic stories have on us. They invited 169 people to take part in the experiment. One group watched a traumatic drama about a disabled man battling homelessness, drug addiction and alcoholism. Another group watched a documentary on the geology and archaeology of Britain. The results showed that on average, the pain tolerance of those who watched the traumatic drama increased by 13.1 percent. This compared to an average decrease in pain threshold of 4.6 percent for those who watched the documentary. Dr Dunbar suggested one reason why we like watching sad movies is the natural high from the endorphins.
1.How many people are invited to take part in the experiment?
A 169.
B 21.
C 67.
D 148.
解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第二段第二句They invited 169 people to take part in the experiment.可知，故选A。
2.______ are our body's natural painkillers.
A Sports
B Healthy foods
C Hobbies
D The endorphins
解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第一段第三、四句...movies that get your emotions going can increase the amount of endorphins released by the brain. These are our body's natural painkillers chemicals...可知，故选D。
4.From the passage, we know that ______.
A watching sad movies is the natural high from the endorphins
B many people don’t like watching sad movies
C distress you get from tragedy doesn’t trigger the endorphin system
D the amount of endorphins isn’t released by the brain
解析：选A。推理判断题。文章最后一段最后一句Dr Dunbar suggested one reason why we like watching sad movies is the natural high from the endorphins.可知，故选A。
