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小时候，过山车带来的惊险和刺激总让人乐此不疲。但随着年龄增长，身体的变化和对风险认知的提高，可能会让乘坐过山车变得不再那么轻松愉快。为什么人们在童年时期往往更能享受坐过山车的乐趣呢？阅读本文，了解其背后的科学原理，以及如何在长大后依然享受过山车带来的刺激。

词汇：thrill-seeking 寻求刺激

1 Rollercoasters have been making stomachs flip for centuries. The earliest versions appeared in 17th-century Russia, where brave riders slid down giant ice-covered ramps. Modern steel rollercoasters transformed theme parks into thrill-seeking playgrounds. Today, they're bigger, faster and taller than ever. Millions of people queue for hours just to experience a few minutes of screaming, laughing and that heart-racing drop. But if you're anything like me, there comes a point when those rides stop feeling exciting and start feeling... slightly regrettable.

2 As children, rollercoasters seem almost impossible to resist. Part of the appeal is that contrasting mix of fear and excitement. According to BBC Science Focus, rollercoasters trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, releasing adrenaline, dopamine and endorphins that make the experience feel exciting and rewarding. Our brains quickly learn to associate that rush with fun, which is why so many children can't wait to jump back in the queue. The sense of achievement doesn't hurt either – finally being tall enough to ride the biggest coaster feels like a rite of passage, making us feel braver and probably way cooler at the time.

3 So why does that love affair often fade with age? Unfortunately, our bodies change. WanderWisdom explains that changes in the inner ear as we get older can make us more sensitive to motion, meaning rollercoasters that once felt thrilling may now leave us feeling dizzy or nauseous. Motion sickness happens when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes and inner ear, leading to dizziness, nausea and that feeling of churning in your tummy. Add stiffer joints, sore necks and a stronger awareness of risk, and it's hardly surprising that the rides we once begged to go on can suddenly feel more exhausting than exhilarating.

4 The good news is that you don't have to completely give up coasters. Dramamine recommends staying hydrated, avoiding heavy meals before riding and looking towards the horizon instead of down at the tracks. Choosing a seat towards the middle can also make the ride feel less intense. These simple changes may reduce motion sickness and help you to rediscover the fun of laughing and screaming along the way without feeling the need to hurl or pass out as often!

测验与练习

一、为本文选择总结句。

a. Everyone loves rollercoasters when they're a kid.
b. It's impossible for you to get over your dislike of rollercoasters.
c. There are some things you can do to help make rollercoasters feel enjoyable.

二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。

1. The first rollercoasters were built from steel.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

2. According to the text, why do many children enjoy rollercoasters so much?
a. Their brains associate the rush of adrenaline with fun.
b. They are less likely to feel motion sickness than adults.
c. They enjoy waiting in long queues.

3. As people get older, changes to the inner ear can make rollercoasters feel more uncomfortable.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. Which of the following is NOT suggested as a way to reduce motion sickness?
a. Close your eyes throughout the ride.
b. Sit towards the middle of the ride.
c. Stay hydrated.

5. The writer says that adults should stop riding rollercoasters completely.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。

Have you ever felt like you might 1) _______ while riding a rollercoaster as an adult? Though you might experience a slight 2) _______, you're more likely as an adult to find rollercoasters 3) _______. This could be because of how 4) _______ our bodies become as we age, or that the changes in our ears make us feel 5) _______ from the motion of the ride.

beg
contrasting
dizzy
pass out
regrttable
rush
stiff

（答案见词汇表后）

词汇表

flip 翻腾
slide 滑行
thrill-seeking 追求刺激的
queue 排队
regrettable 令人后悔的
resist 抵挡，抗拒
contrasting 截然不同的，形成对比的
trigger 引发，触发
endorphin 内啡肽
rush 强烈的刺激感，兴奋感
rite of passage 成长的必经阶段
dizzy 头晕目眩的
conflicting 相互矛盾的
churning （胃里）翻腾的，反胃的
stiffer 更僵硬的
beg 恳求
exhilarating 令人兴奋的，令人振奋的
horizon 地平线
intense 剧烈的，强烈的
rediscover 重新找回，重新发现
hurl 呕吐
pass out 失去知觉，昏倒

答案

一、为本文选择总结句。

c. There are some things you can do to help make rollercoasters feel enjoyable

二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。

1. b. False.The earliest versions appeared in 17th-century Russia, where brave riders slid down giant ice-covered ramps.

2. a.Our brains quickly learn to associate that rush with fun, which is why so many children can't wait to jump straight back in the queue.

3. a. True.Changes to the inner ear as we get older can make us more sensitive to motion, meaning rollercoasters that once felt thrilling may now leave us feeling dizzy or nauseous

4. a. The text recommends staying hydrated, avoiding heavy meals before riding and looking towards the horizon instead of down at the tracks. Choosing a seat towards the middle can also make the ride feel less intense. It does not recommend closing your eyes.

5. b. False.The good news is that you don't have to completely give up coasters.

三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。

Have you ever felt like you might pass out while riding a roller coaster as an adult? Though you might experience a slight rush, you’re more likely as an adult to find rollercoasters regrettable. This could be because of how stiff our bodies become as we age, or that the changes in our ears make us feel dizzy from the motion of the ride.