People may feel more like they are losing it when they are "down in the dumps". Word expert Charles Funk says people have been feeling down in the dumps for more than 400 years. The word dumps probably comes from Northern European countries. The languages of Denmark and Norway both have similar words. The words mean to fall suddenly. Americans borrowed this saying. And, over the years ,it has become a popular way of expressing sadness.

8.What problem did Mary think she had?

A. She easily lost emotional control. B. She had quite low intelligence.

C. She seemed to have a poor memory. D. She lost the ability to shop wisely.

9.How does the author explain the use of losing it?

A. By describing his own experiences. B. By providing research findings.

C. By giving instructions. D. By using examples.

10.We can infer from the psychologist that .

A. Americans worry too much about their health problems

B. it's good for your health to say you're losing it

C. people really lose it when they say they're losing it

D. Americans enjoy controlling their lives

11.If someone feels down in the dumps, he or she .

A. is in low spirits B. is losing something

C. becomes less popular D. has a sudden fall in life

　　A disease called "Panama" is threatening supplies of the world's most popular fruit-banana. Two years ago, the United Nations warned that the "Panama disease" could destroy "much of the world's banana crop." Since then, things have not gotten better. A new outbreak was discovered last year in Australia. The disease started in Asia in the 1990s, and later spread to Africa and the Middle East.

World health officials worry the disease could travel to Latin America, one of the top banana producers in the world. All this is a big concern because bananas are an important source of income and nutrients for millions of people. They are grown in 135 tropical nations. The United Nations lists bananas as one of the most important