評論
打印
【真題再現】
Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following passage.
Scratchy throats, stuffy noses and body aches all spell misery, but being able to tell if the cause is a cold or flu (流感) may make a difference in how long the misery lasts.
The American Lung Association (ALA) has issued new guidelines on combating colds and the flu, and one of the keys is being able to quickly tell the two apart. That’s because the prescription drugs available for the flu need to be taken soon after the illness sets in. As for colds, the sooner a person starts taking over-the-counter remedy, the sooner relief will come.
The common cold and the flu are both caused by viruses. More than 200 viruses can cause cold symptoms, while the flu is caused by three viruses—flu A, B and C. There is no cure for either illness, but the flu can be prevented by the flu vaccine (疫苗), which is, for most people, the best way to fight the flu, according to the ALA.
But if the flu does strike, quick action can help. Although the flu and common cold have many similarities, there are some obvious signs to look for.
Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose and scratchy throat typically develop gradually, and adults and teens often do not get a fever. On the other hand, fever is one of the characteristic features of the flu for all ages. And in general, flu symptoms including fever and chills, sore throat and body aches come on suddenly and are more severe than cold symptoms.
The ALA notes that it may be particularly difficult to tell when infants and preschool age children have the flu. It advises parents to call the doctor if their small children have flu-like symptoms.
Both cold and flu symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter medications as well. However, children and teens with a cold or flu should not take aspirin for pain relief because of the risk of Reye syndrome (綜合癥)，a rare but serious condition of the liver and central nervous system.
There is, of course, no vaccine for the common cold. But frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with people who have colds can reduce the likelihood of catching one.
11. According to the author, knowing the cause of the misery will help ________.
A) shorten the duration of the illness
B) the patient buy medicine over the counter
C) the patient obtain cheaper prescription drugs
D) prevent people from catching colds and the flu(A)
12. We learn from the passage that ________.
A) one doesn’t need to take any medicine if he has a cold or the flu
B) aspirin should not be included in over-the-counter medicines for the flu
C) delayed treatment of the flu will harm the liver and central nervous system
D) over-the-counter drugs can be taken to ease the misery caused by a cold or the flu(D)
13. According to the passage, to combat the flu effectively, ________.
A) one should identify the virus which causes it
B) one should consult a doctor as soon as possible
C) one should take medicine upon catching the disease
D) one should remain alert when the disease is spreading(C)
14. Which of the following symptoms will distinguish the flu from a cold?
A) A stuffy nose.
B) A high temperature.
C) A sore throat.
D) A dry cough.(B)
15. If children have flu-like symptoms, their parents ________.
A) are advised not to give them aspirin
B) should watch out for signs of Reye syndrome
C) are encouraged to take them to hospital for vaccination
D) should prevent them from mixing with people running a fever(A)
【精講】
這篇文章講的是應該如何區別對待感冒和流感。因為文章旨在向普通民眾傳播醫療知識，所以遣詞造句較為簡易，結構清晰易辨，理解的難度不大。
文章開篇指出兩點，一是感冒與流感有很多相似的癥狀(Scratchy throats, stuffy noses and body aches all spell misery)，二是應當學會區分感冒和流感(may make a difference)。這兩點也是文章所述內容的綱領，后者是論述的側重點。
第二段引用醫療權威ALA的指導原則，指出區分普通感[考.試*大]冒與流感的原因所在：辨別出是哪種疾病后可以立即進行相應的治療。對于流感來說，要馬上把醫生的藥房付諸實施(prescription drugs available for the flu need to be taken soon);對感冒來說，則要立即服用非處方藥(starts taking over-the-counter remedy)。
接下來的幾段從致病成因、預防手段、癥狀等方面介紹了感冒與流感的區別。
第三段講述了二者的致病因素，感冒源于二百多種病毒，而流感源于三種病毒。作者附帶講到流感的預防方法：接種疫苗(the flu can be prevented by the flu vaccine)。而普通感冒的預防方法則跳到了最后一段：frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact，勤洗手，不與感冒病人密切接觸。
四、五、六段介紹了感冒與流感在癥狀上的區別。第四段只起了承上啟下的作用，第五段詳細講解了二者的區別。第六段則指出一個特例：嬰幼兒和學齡前兒童的流感癥狀不易辨認。
第七段講的是治療方法，著重說明了治療禁忌：少年兒童不宜服用阿司匹林(should not take aspirin for pain relief)。
