閱讀理解題

　　第一篇

Giving Up Smoking

　　A number of devices are available to help a person quit smoking. Nicotine （尼古�。� patches are small, nicotine-containing adhesive （粘著性的） discs applied to the skin. The nicotine is slowly absorbed through the skin and enters the bloodstream （血流）. Over time, the nicotine dose is reduced and eventually the desire for nicotine is eased. Nicotine gum （口香糖） works in a similar manner, providing small doses of nicotine when chewed （咀嚼）.

　　The benefits of giving up smoking include the immediate reduction of harm to the health of the smoker and easier admission to social activities and institutions that ban smoking. In a 1988 report, the U.S. Surgeon General declared cigarette smoking to be more harmful and expensive than the use of cocaine （可卡因）, alcohol, or heroin. Recent evidence supports this claim.

　　The United States government has collected a special tax on cigarettes for several decades. The rate rose from 8 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes in 1951 to 24 cents per pack in 1993. In other developed countries, the cigarette tax rate is much higher, ranging from 50 percent in Switzerland to 85 percent in Denmark.

　　In the United States, the first direct action to check smoking was the regulation of a warning on cigarette packages by the Federal Trade Commission. This warning took effect in 1964 and was strengthened in 1969 to read: "Warning: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Cigarette Smoking Is Dangerous to Your Health." In 1971 all cigarette advertising was banned from radio and television, and cities and states passed laws requiring nonsmoking sections in public places and workplaces.

　　1 Which of the following can help a person quit smoking?

　　A Reading cigarette advertisements.

　　B Using nicotine patches.

　　C Chewing ordinary gum.

　　D Participating in social activities.

　　2 Nicotine gum is used to help a smoker

　　A reduce weight.

　　B stop smoking.

　　C clean his teeth.

　　D absorb nicotine immediately.

　　3 The benefits of giving up smoking include all the following EXCEPT

　　A the formation of a good habit.

　　B the reduction of expenses.

　　C the reduction of harm to one's health.

　　D easier access to institutions that ban smoking.

　　4 Which of the following is said to be the most expensive and harmful?

　　A Consuming alcohol.

　　B Using heroin.

　　C Taking cocaine.

　　D Smoking cigarettes.

　　5 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a step to control smoking?

　　A Forbidding smoking in all public places.

　　B Collecting a special tax on cigarettes.

　　C Banning cigarette advertising from radio and TV.

　　D Requiring a warning on each cigarette package.

　　第二篇

Effects of Exercise on Elderly Diabetics （糖尿病人）

　　Most older people with so-called type 2 diabetes （糖尿�。� could stop taking insulin （胰島素） if they would do brisk （輕快的） exercise for 30 minutes just three times a week, according to new medical research results reported in a Copenhagen newspaper. Results from tests conducted on diabetics at the Copenhagen central hospital Rigshospitalet's Center for Muscle Research showed that physical exercise can boost the body's ability to make use of insulin by 30 per cent. This is equal to the effect most elderly diabetics get from their insulin medication （藥物治療） today.

　　Researchers had a group of non-diabetic men and a group of men with type 2 diabetes, all more than 60 years of age, exercise on bicycles six times a week for three months. After the three months the doctors measured how much sugar the test subjects' muscles could make use of as a measure for how well their insulin worked.

　　Associate Professor Dr Flemming Dela of the Muscle Research Center said the tests demonstrated that the exercising diabetics had made as good use of insulin as the healthy non-diabetic persons. "This means that the insulin works just as well for both groups. Physical exercise cannot cure people of diabetes, but it can eliminate almost all their symptoms. At the same time it can put off the point at which they have to begin taking insulin," Dela said.

　　Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas （胰腺）, controlling sugar in the body and is used against diabetes.

　　Dela said that to achieve the desired effect diabetics need only exercise to the point where they begin to sweat, but that the activity has to be maintained since it wears off after five days without sufficient exercise.

　　Most diabetics realize that they have to watch their diet while remaining unaware of the importance of exercise, Dela added.

　　6 What is the effect of exercise on elderly people with type 2 diabetes?

　　A It can help the body make better use of insulin.

　　B It can worsen their symptoms.

　　C It can help them to eat more.

　　D It can cure them of the disease.

　　7 The exercise that the researchers tried on their test subjects was

　　A walking briskly for thirty minutes three times a week.

　　B cycling six times a week for three months.

　　C swimming twice a day.

　　D running once a day.

　　8 The researchers checked how well the test subjects' insulin worked by measuring

　　A the blood sugar level in their bodies.

　　B the length of time they could cycle at one breath.

　　C the amount of insulin they took.

　　D the amount of sugar their muscles could make use of.

　　9 It is recommended that diabetics maintain sufficient exercise since otherwise

　　A their symptoms will get worse.

　　B the blood sugar level will go up.

　　C the desired effect cannot be achieved.

　　D their condition will be out of control.

　　10 It can be seen from the passage that most diabetics are ignorant of

　　A the necessity of watching their diet.

　　B the significance of regular exercise.

　　C the need to control their weight.

　　D the consequences of taking too much insulin

　　第三篇

First Aid

　　First aid is emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more skillful medical treatment is available. It may save a life or improve certain vital signs including pulse, temperature, a clear airway （氣道）, and breathing. In minor emergencies, first aid may prevent a victim's condition from turning worse and provide relief from pain. First aid must be administered as quickly as possible. In the case of the critically injured, a few minutes can make the difference between complete recovery and loss of life.

　　First-aid measures depend upon a victim's needs and the provider's level of knowledge and skill. Knowing what not to do in an emergency is as important as knowing what to do. Improperly moving a person with a neck injury, for example, can lead to permanent spinal （脊柱的） injury and paralysis （癱瘓）.

　　Despite the variety of injuries possible, several principles of first aid apply to all emergencies. The first step is to call for professional medical help. The victim, if conscious, should be reassured that medical aid has been requested, and asked for permission to provide any first aid. Next, assess the scene, asking other people or the injured person's family or friends about details of the injury or illness, any care that may have already been given, and preexisting conditions such as diabetes （糖尿�。� or heart trouble. The victim should be checked for a medical bracelet （手鐲） or card that describes special medical conditions. Unless the accident scene becomes unsafe or the victim may suffer further injury, do not move the victim.

　　First aid requires rapid assessment of victims to determine whether life-threatening conditions exist. One method for evaluating a victim's condition is known by the acronym （首字母縮寫詞） ABC, which stands for:

　　A - Airway: is it open and clear?

　　B - Breathing: is the person breathing? Look, listen, and feet for breathing.

　　C - Circulation: is there a pulse? Is the person bleeding externally? Check skin color and temperature for additional indications of circulation problems.

　　11 First aid may bring about all the following results EXCEPT

　　A saving a victim's life.

　　B preventing a victim's condition from getting worse.

　　C helping a person avoid sudden illness or injury.

　　D relieving a victim from pain.

　　12 Before we administer first aid to a victim, it is very important for us

　　A to refer to all kinds of handbooks on first aid.

　　B to make sure what to do and what not to do.

　　C to remove the ring or bracelet he may be wearing.

　　D to take him to a hospital at once.

　　13 In administering first aid to a victim, you should first of al

　　A remove him from the accident scene.

　　B turn him over.

　　C examine him carefully.

　　D call for professional medical help.

　　14 You may assess a victim's condition by all the following EXCEPT

　　A checking whether there is a pulse.

　　B looking, listening and feeling for breathing.

　　C examining whether the airway is open and clear.

　　D replacing his medical bracelet or card.

　　15 The purpose of the passage is to tell the reader

　　A some basic facts about first aid.

　　B the importance of protecting the accident scene.

　　C what professional medical help is.

　　D who can administer first aid.

　　【參考答案】

　　1. B 2. B 3. A 4. D 5. A

　　6. A 7. B 8. D 9. C 10. B

　　11. C 12. B 13. D 14. D 15. A