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The Danger in the Walls 壁中危机

 cntic 2012-12-05

The Danger in the Walls壁中危机
by Brian Foden

Once thought of as a great product, asbestos is now known as a hidden killer.
石棉一度被认为是一种了不起的产品,如今却被称为是『隐形杀手』

There was a time when asbestos (石棉) was considered quite desirable in the construction industry. It was extremely pliable, easily _(1)_, and rather cheap. Thus, prior to the early 1970s, it was widely used as insulation for buildings and pipes because it was fireproof and lightweight. Then, the truth about the hidden dangers of this naturally occurring material was discovered.
There are good reasons why asbestos is no longer used in the building of houses, apartments, or other dwellings. Simply put, this fibrous substance is extremely harmful to people's health, especially the lungs. Exposure to asbestos is often compared to smoking. The more frequently it occurs, the _(2)_ the effects. Indeed, just as is the case with prolonged smoking, lung cancer is one possible outcome of breathing in the minute asbestos particles. Another type of cancer _(3)_ with the inhalation of this harmful material is called mesothelioma (间皮癌), which attacks the lining of the lungs and the lower digestive tract. _(4)_ another condition is asbestosis (石棉沉滞症). This is when the body reacts _(5)_ the asbestos fibers in the lungs by producing an acid. However, rather than destroying the asbestos, the acid _(6)_ scars the lungs. The symptoms of these diseases, which typically take from 15 to 40 years to manifest themselves, are coughing and a progressively worsening shortness of breath.
Fortunately for today's construction workers, the _(7)_ of breathing in asbestos fibers are now well-known. Unfortunately, though, this knowledge comes too late for those who unwittingly damaged their health prior to the 1970s.

1. (A) ashamed(B) specific(C) available(D) prosperous
2. (A) even worse(B) worse(C) bad(D) worst
3. (A) associated(B) confined(C) fulfilled(D) motivated
4. (A) Far(B) Still(C) Even(D) More
5. (A) as(B) for(C) to(D) in
6. (A) intimately(B) severely(C) urgently(D) mutually
7. (A) hazards(B) illusions(C) compliments(D) boundaries


  1. It was extremely pliable, easily available, and rather cheap.
    理由:
    a. (A) ashamed a. 感到羞愧的(以人为
    主词)
    be ashamed of...为……感到羞愧
    比较
    shameful a. 可耻的(以事为主词)
    I was ashamed of my bad behavior as a teenager.
    我为我在青少年时期的不良行为感到羞愧。
    Nick's lack of respect for his parents is shameful.
    尼克不知尊敬父母,实在可耻。
    (B) specific a. 特定的
    Billy was driving around without a specific destination in mind.
    比利漫无目的地开车到处闲晃。
    (C) available a. 可买得到的
    There were some seats available in the back of the concert hall.
    该音乐厅的後面还有一些空位可以买得到。
    (D) prosperous a. 繁荣的,兴盛的
    To run a prosperous business, you should be devoted to your job first and foremost.
    想经营一家兴盛的企业,首要的是你必须全心投入你的工作。
    b. 根据语意,可知 (C) 项应为正选。

  2. The more frequently it occurs, the worse the effects.
    理由:
    a. 本句使用下列句构∶
    the + 比较级形容词 副词, the + 比较级形容词 副词愈……,就……
    The harder you study, the easier it is for you to pass the test.
    你愈用功,就会愈容易通过考试。
    b. 原题空格前有 the more 所引导的副词子句 the more frequently it occurs(发生得愈频繁),得知空格内应置比较级的形容词或副词,选项中仅 (A)、(B) 项为比较级形容词,但 (A) 项在此为独立副词片语应放句首,故不可选。
    c. Even worse,...更糟的是,……
    Jen had a bad day yesterday. Even worse, she lost her job today.
    珍昨天运气很差。更糟的是,她今天丢了工作。
    d. 根据上述,可知 (B) 项应为正选。

  3. Another type of cancer associated with the inhalation of this harmful material is called mesothelioma, which...
    理由:
    a. (A) associate vt. 把……联想在一起
    be associated with...与……有关
    = be related to...
    = be linked to...
    The side effects are associated with that type of treatment.
    这些副作用与该类型的疗程有关。
    (B) confine vt. 使受限
    be confined to...受限於 局限於……
    Sherry was confined to a wheelchair for two months after she fell down the stairs and broke her back.
    自从摔下楼梯伤到背部後,雪莉受限於用轮椅行动达两个月之久。
    (C) fulfill vt. 实现
    You can fulfill your dreams if you work hard.
    你若努力就有可能实现梦想。
    (D) motivate vt. 激励;激发
    be motivated to V被激发做……
    The students were motivated to do better as a result of their teacher's passion and devotion.
    因为老师的热情与奉献,激励学生们做得更好。
    b. 原句实等於∶Another type of cancer which is associated with the inhalation of this harmful material is called mesothelioma, which...。
    c. 本句测试 be associated with...(与……有关),得知空格应置 associated,故 (A) 项应为正选。

  4. Still another condition is asbestosis.
    理由:
    a. 本题测试以下固定用法∶
    One..., another..., and still another...
    一个是……,另一个则是……,另外还有……
    My friends have different hobbies. One likes jogging, another enjoys reading, and still another is always listening to music.
    我的朋友们有不同的爱好。其中一个喜欢慢跑,另一个喜欢阅读,还有一个总是听著音乐。
    b. 空格前两句有...lung cancer is one possible outcome...,以及 Another type of cancer...,确知此处应填入 Still another condition...。此句型运用於非限定三者以上的事物。
    c. condition n. 疾病;健康问题
    Doctors suspect Al may have a heart condition.
    医生怀疑艾尔的心脏可能有问题。
    d. (A)、(C)、(D) 项置入後,均与上述用法不合,故知 (B) 项应为正选。

  5. This is when the body reacts to the asbestos fibers in the lungs by producing an acid.
    理由:
    a. 空格前有 react(反应),得知空格应置介词 to,形成下列固定用法∶
    react to N/V-ing对……作出反应
    react vi. 反应(与介词 to 并用)
    How did your parents react to your being pregnant?
    奶父母对奶怀孕有什麽反应?
    b. 根据上述用法,可知 (C) 项应为正选。

  6. However, rather than destroying the asbestos, the acid severely scars the lungs.
    理由:
    a. (A) intimately adv. 亲密地
    They've known one another intimately for the past few years.
    过去几年来,他们过从甚密。
    (B) severely adv. 严重地
    Shark populations have been severely depleted because of overfishing.
    鲨鱼的数量由於过度捕捞而锐减。
    *deplete vt. 用尽,使减少
    (C) urgently adv. 紧急地
    Red Cross officials report the victims urgently need food and water.
    红十字会官员报告说目前灾民急需食物和水。
    (D) mutually adv. 互相地
    William and I came to a mutually acceptable agreement.
    威廉和我互相达成共识。
    b. 本句 the acid(酸)当主词,空格後也有及物动词 scars(造成伤疤),得知空格内应置副词来修饰动词 scars。
    c. 根据语意,(B) 项应为正选。

  7. Fortunately for today's construction workers, the hazards of breathing in asbestos fibers are now well-known.
    理由:
    a. (A) hazard n. 危险(物)
    hazardous a. 危险的(与介词 to 并用)
    Increasing pollution levels are a serious health hazard to the locals.
    日益严重的污染程度对当地民众来说严重危害健康。
    The press announced a list of products that are potentially hazardous to public health.
    媒体公布了一份产品名单,这些产品对大众健康有潜在的危险。
    (B) illusion n. 假象,错觉
    The magic tricks were only illusions.
    那些魔术把戏只不过是幻觉罢了。
    (C) compliment n. 赞美
    I took your comment about my hair as a compliment and not as an insult.
    我把你对我头发的评论当成一种赞美,而不是一种侮辱。
    (D) boundary n. 界限;边界
    The boundaries of human knowledge are forever being extended.
    人类的知识范围永远不断地在延伸。
    b. 根据语意,可知 (A) 项应为正选。

  1. desirable a. 令人满意的;富有魅力的
    That movie star was chosen by the magazine as one of the most desirable bachelors in the UK.
    那位影星被该杂选为英国最富魅力的单身汉之ㄧ。
  2. prior to...(时间上)在……之前
    You must not eat anything 10 hours prior to your medical checkup.
    在进行全身健康检查前 10 个小时,你不可以吃任何东西。
  3. Simply put,...简言之,……
    = Put simply,...
    = To put it simply,...
    = In short,...
    Simply put, this investment package is going to make you rich.
    简言之,这项投资计划将会使你致富。
  4. be harmful to...对……有害
    Research suggests that MSG is very harmful to our bodies.
    有研究显示味精对人体有很大的危害。
  5. exposure n. 曝露(与介词 to 并用)
    Stella got burned from too much exposure to the sun.
    史黛拉因过度曝晒在阳光下而晒伤。
  6. prolong vt. 延长
    prolonged a. 延长的
    We prolonged our stay at the restaurant by ordering coffee after the meal.
    我们藉著餐後点些咖啡,让我们可以在餐厅内待久一点。
  7. manifest vt. 显示;证明
    manifest oneself彰显出
    Rachel's musical talent manifested itself at the age of three.
    瑞秋的音乐才华在 3 岁就显现出来了。
  8. unwittingly adv. 无意地,不自觉地
    The man unwittingly stepped on the dog's tail and made it yelp in pain.
    该男子不自觉地踩到了狗狗的尾巴,让它痛苦地哀嚎。
    *yelp vi. 狗嚎叫

  1. asbestos n. 石棉
  2. construction n. 建造
  3. pliable a. 柔韧的
  4. insulation n. 绝缘;隔热
    insulate vt. 使绝缘;使隔热
  5. fireproof a. 防火的
  6. lightweight a. 质轻的
  7. dwelling n. 住宅
  8. fibrous a. 纤维的;含纤维的
  9. outcome n. 结果(与介词 of 并用)
  10. breathe in...吸入……
  11. minute a. 微小的,极小的
  12. particle n. 微粒
  13. inhalation n. 吸入
  14. mesothelioma n. 间皮癌
  15. lining n.(身体器官的)内膜
  16. tract n. 道
  17. asbestosis n. 石棉沉滞症
  18. acid n. 酸
  19. scar vt. 使留下伤疤
  20. symptom n. 症状(与介词 of 并用)
  21. typically adv. 典型地
  22. shortness of breath呼吸急促;气喘

Indeed, just as is the case with prolonged smoking, lung cancer is...
注意
as 作准关系代名词的用法,等於 which∶
John is nice, which is known to us.
= John is nice, as is known to us.
= As is known to us, John is nice.
约翰人很好,我们都知道。



壁中危机
石棉一度被认为是一种了不起的产品,如今却被称为是『隐形杀手』
曾经有一段时期石棉被认为是营建业中的好建材。它极具韧性、容易取得而且相当便宜。因此在 1970 年代早期之前,因为石棉既防火重量又轻,所以被广泛地用来作为建筑物和管路上的绝缘体。然後,存在於这种天然材质的潜在危机的真相被人发现了。
有很充份的理由可以解释石棉为何不再被用在房屋、公寓或是其他住宅的建筑上。简言之,这种纤维物质对人体健康有极大的伤害,特别是肺部。曝露在石棉下常被比喻成吸菸。愈常接触石棉,影响愈深。的确,就像长期吸菸的情况,肺癌也是长期吸入细微石棉粉尘可能会得到的结果。另一种与吸入这种有害健康物质有关的癌症称为『间皮癌』,这种疾病会侵袭肺的内膜以及下消化道。另外还有一种疾病就是『石棉沉滞症(俗称石棉肺)』。这是当人体对肺中的石棉纤维作出反应,进而产生一种酸。然而,这种酸不会破坏石棉,反而会严重伤害我们的肺。这些疾病的症状,通常要花费 15 至 40 年才会显现出来,症状是会不断咳嗽以及日益恶化的气喘。
今日的建筑工人很幸运,他们已经明白吸入石棉纤维的危害。但遗憾的是,这些知识来得太晚,让 1970 年代以前的工人都不自觉地吸入这些会损害他们健康的物质。
答案∶1. C2. B3. A4. B5. C6. B7. A












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