專四考前預(yù)測(cè)——聽寫（3）：Vitamins
It was not until the beginning of this century that it was recognized /that certain substances were essential in the diet to prevent or cure some diseases. / These substances are now known as vitamins. / They are vital for growth, good health,/ and maintenance of the normal functions of the body. / A well-balanced diet should provide all the vitamins we normally require. / Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to buy sufficient food/ should not suffer from vitamin deficiency. / However, for various reasons,/ some people do not maintain a balanced diet. / People often lose their appetite because of illness. / People living alone may not bother to eat proper meals,/ and people on a diet may not eat sufficient quantities of necessary foods. / Moreover, modern methods of preserving, freezing and long-time storage of food,/ together with over cooking, can destroy many of the vitamins. /
We do not know when man first began to use salt, / but we do know that it has been used in many different ways throughout history. /Historical evidence shows, for example, that people who lived over 3000 years ago ate salted fish. / Thousands of years ago in Egypt, salt was used to preserve the dead. /
Stealing salt was considered a major crime during some periods of history. / In 18th century, for instance,/ if a person was caught stealing salt, he can be put in jail. /History records that about ten thousand people were put in jail during that century for stealing salt! / About 150 years before, in the year 1553, / taking more salt that one was allowed to was punishable as a crime. /The offender's ear was cut off. /
Salt was an important item on the table of royalty. /It was traditionally placed in front of the king when he sat down to eat. /Important guests at the king's table were seated near the salt. /Less important guests were given seats farther away from it./
It was not until the beginning of this century that it was recognized /that certain substances were essential in the diet to prevent or cure some diseases. / These substances are now known as vitamins. / They are vital for growth, good health,/ and maintenance of the normal functions of the body. / A well-balanced diet should provide all the vitamins we normally require. / Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to buy sufficient food/ should not suffer from vitamin deficiency. / However, for various reasons,/ some people do not maintain a balanced diet. / People often lose their appetite because of illness. / People living alone may not bother to eat proper meals,/ and people on a diet may not eat sufficient quantities of necessary foods. / Moreover, modern methods of preserving, freezing and long-time storage of food,/ together with over cooking, can destroy many of the vitamins. /
We do not know when man first began to use salt, / but we do know that it has been used in many different ways throughout history. /Historical evidence shows, for example, that people who lived over 3000 years ago ate salted fish. / Thousands of years ago in Egypt, salt was used to preserve the dead. /
Stealing salt was considered a major crime during some periods of history. / In 18th century, for instance,/ if a person was caught stealing salt, he can be put in jail. /History records that about ten thousand people were put in jail during that century for stealing salt! / About 150 years before, in the year 1553, / taking more salt that one was allowed to was punishable as a crime. /The offender's ear was cut off. /
Salt was an important item on the table of royalty. /It was traditionally placed in front of the king when he sat down to eat. /Important guests at the king's table were seated near the salt. /Less important guests were given seats farther away from it./