Art is and has long been valued for the emotional response it provokes. Now, researchers have proof that viewing original art not only evokes a variety of feelings, but it also restores and improves mental and long-term physical health.

A new study by King’s College London has discovered evidence that viewing original art in galleries can improve stress levels and overall health. It is paving the way for the integration of art and wellbeing. These findings can help us better support our mental health, reduce loneliness and depression, and potentially foster a longer lifespan and improved life satisfaction.

Their procedure was simple: 50 healthy adults aged between 18 and 40 viewed original masterpieces by artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Édouard Manet at The Courtauld Gallery in London. Another group looked at reproductions in a non-gallery setting. Researchers attached sensors to measure heart rate and skin temperature. They also took saliva samples before and after their trip.

The results showed gallery-goers had a drop in stress hormones, or cortisol levels, by 22%, compared to only 8% in the reproduction group. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokines (细胞活素) fell by 30% and 28%, respectively, indicating lowered inflammation. Also, signs of emotional engagement, such as small drops in skin temperature, variation in heart-rate patterns, and increased heart rate overall during the gallery visit suggest that art can both calm and stimulate the body at once.

1.1.What does the word “foster” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A Shorten.

B Promote.

C Record.

D Delay.

解析：选B。B词义猜测题。第二段“foster”所在句子指出，这些发现能帮助支持心理健康，“and potentially foster a longer lifespan...”。其中，“foster”的宾语是“a longer lifespan”（更长的寿命），这是一个积极的、需要被“促进”或“培养”才能实现的目标。因此，“foster”在此意为“促进，助长”，与“promote”同义。A（缩短）、C（记录）、D（忽略）均与语境和逻辑相悖。故选B。

2.2.How did the researchers conduct their study?

A By comparing two different groups.

B By interviewing art experts and visitors.

C By collecting historical data on art.

D By creating new artworks for tests.

解析：选A。A细节理解题。第三明确说明研究设置了两组人：“50 healthy adults... viewed original masterpieces...”和“Another group looked at reproductions...”，之后对这两组人进行了相同的测量。这清晰地表明，研究方法的核心是设置实验组和对照组进行比较。B（采访）、C（分析历史数据）、D（创作新艺术品）在文中均未提及。故选A。

3.3.What can be learned from the study’s results?

A Original art in galleries offers superior benefits.

B Reproductions offer no health benefits at all.

C Art knowledge is crucial for stress reduction.

D The physical setting shows insignificant effects.

解析：选A。A推理判断题。第四段通过数据对比（皮质醇下降22% vs 8%）表明观赏原作效果更佳。第五段则明确总结“there is a stronger result when the art is an original piece being viewed in a gallery setting”。由此可推断出核心结论：在画廊观赏原作能带来更优的健康益处。B（复制品导致健康问题）属于过度推断，文中仅说明其效果较弱。C（艺术知识至关重要）与第五段“no matter a viewer’s depth of art knowledge”相矛盾。D（画廊环境无影响）与研究的核心发现完全相反。故选A。

4.4.What is the main purpose of the passage?

A To advertise a London art gallery.

B To explain the history of art therapy.

C To present health benefits of gallery visits.

D To describe the artistic creation process.

解析：选C。C主旨大意题。文章开篇点题，提出“观赏原作可改善身心健康”的观点，接着引用一项具体研究，从实验方法、数据结果到最终结论，都紧紧围绕“参观画廊观赏艺术对身心健康（包括精神和身体）的益处”这一核心展开。因此，C选项最准确地概括了文章的主要目的。A选项只是文中提及研究地点，并非文章主旨；B选项的“历史”和D选项的“艺术创作过程”均非文章讨论内容。故选C。