31 인공 습지의 재발견

Reader's Bank_Level 7_Unit 11                                    Reading Text

There is a saying that “Nature knows best.” This is very true for cleaning dirty water. Modern machines that clean water are very expensive. To save money, scientists are learning how nature cleans water. They are especially looking at wetlands.

In wetlands, plants give fresh oxygen to the water, and tiny living things called bacteria help break down some of the bad stuff in the water. Other harmful chemicals are removed when the water moves through the soil.

Recognizing these benefits, many countries are making artificial wetlands to clean their dirty water naturally. These wetlands can clean water without using chemicals. They also provide homes for birds and other animals. Many of these man-made wetlands are being built in countries around the world, and they are working very well.

32 싫은 일을 제일 먼저 하라!

When I was a kid, I was a picky eater. Every time Brussels sprouts were served at dinner, I left them until last, hoping I would get away with not eating them. But, of course, my mother would never let me leave the table until I ate every last one of my Brussels sprouts. One evening, when Brussels sprouts were served yet again, I decided to eat my Brussels sprouts first. Then, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of my meal.

What is your own Brussels sprout? It could be a phone call, an email, or something on your to-do list that you’d prefer not to have to do. How can you overcome putting it off? Starting and taking action is key. Starting your day by doing something you hate the most might not sound appealing, but once it’s done, you’ll feel a sense of relief and freedom. There is a saying, “Eat a live frog early in the morning.” I think this advice is absolutely right!

33 인슐린, 내 몸의 비밀 열쇠

Your body does something amazing after every meal. It uses a special helper to turn food into energy—a hormone called insulin. If insulin doesn’t work right, your body can’t produce energy.

When you eat, food turns into blood sugar. Blood sugar gives your body energy as cells turn it into fuel. But sugar can’t enter your cells without insulin. Insulin acts like a key that opens the door to let sugar in.

insulin can’t open the cell door. If you eat too many processed carbohydrates and don’t move much, fat builds up in your cells. Cells full of fat won’t let insulin open their doors. This is called “insulin resistance.” When this happens, sugar stays in your blood. This makes blood thicker and stops oxygen from reaching your tissues. This can cause diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

Experts say regular exercise is the best way to fix insulin resistance. Just 30 minutes a day helps your cells use sugar before it turns into fat. Also, eating whole foods with fiber is important.

These foods break down slowly and keep sugar levels steady.