Question

Long-time exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain and cause trouble in learning and memory, and even anxiety. This is suggested by the results of new research on mice.

While other studies have shown the harmful effects of polluted air in the lungs and heart, this is the first to show the negative effect on the brain.

The team of Laura Fonken, Randy Nelson, from the Ohio State University, USA, has spread to the brain a previous line of research which found that fine particulate (微粒) matter floating in the air mainly because of air pollution caused by humans, causes swelling in much of the body, and may be related to high blood pressure problems, and some other diseases.

In the research Fonken and his colleagues exposed mice to polluted air for six hours each day, five days a week, over a period of 10 months, almost half the average life length of mice.

Polluted air contains fine particles created by cars, factories and natural dust. Fine particles of this kind are tiny, about 2.5 micrometers in diameter, or about one-thirtieth the width of a human hair. These particles can go deep into lungs and other organs.

The concentration of this particulate material to which they exposed mice is equal to the concentration at which people can be exposed in some polluted urban areas.

After a period of 10 months, the researchers got the animals to have a series of behavioral tests. Both the behavior of mice and the results of neurological(神经的) tests done to them show that those within the polluted air had more problems in learning and memory, and higher levels of anxiety.

The results suggest that long-time exposure to polluted air can have measurable negative effects on the human brain and can cause a variety of mental health problems. This could have important consequences for those living and working in polluted urban areas.

1.The results of new research on mice first suggest that polluted air mainly does harm to ________.

A. normal organsB. lungs and heart

C. mental healthD. blood pressure

2.The bad effects of tiny particles in polluted air are those except ________.

A. high blood pressure problems

B. making human hair thinner

C. different kinds of diseases

D. swelling in much of the body

3.From the last sentence we can infer that people living in polluted urban areas ________.

A. are likely to suffer from mental problems

B. can measure the negative effect on them

C. show little concern for air pollution

D. can be exposed to polluted air longer

4.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. Long-time Exposure to Air Pollution

B. Evidence and Concern of Air Pollution

C. Measurable Effect on Human Brain

D. Mental Problems Caused by Air Pollution

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.A

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：这是一篇科普文章，讲述最新的一项科学发现，让老鼠长期呆在污染的空气中，除了过去人们已经发现的对身体的影响外，首次发现了污染对神经系统的影响。这会引起居住在污染地区的城市居民的关注。

1.C 细节理解题。根据文章第一段Long-time exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain and cause trouble in learning and memory, and even anxiety.和第二段内容While other studies have shown the harmful effects of polluted air in the lungs and heart, this is the first to show the negative effect on the brain.可知，以前的研究已经证实空气污染对肺、心脏有害，现在首次证实空气污染对脑也有害，故答案为C。

2.B 细节理解题。根据文章第三段和第七段内容可知，B项没提到，故答案为B。

3.A 推理判断题。根据文章最后一段The results suggest that long-time exposure to polluted air can have measurable negative effects on the human brain and can cause a variety of mental health problems.可知，长时间暴露在污染的空气中会对大脑有负面影响，会引起大脑健康问题，故A正确。

4.新的一项科学发现，让老鼠长期待在污染的空气中，除了过去人们已经发现的对身体的影响外，首次发现了空气污染对神经系统的影响。这会引起居住在污染地区的城市居民的关注，故标题用D合适。

考点：考查科普环保类短文阅读

【名师点睛】

我们在做阅读理解时的具体步骤：

（1）先精读问题，了解题后做到心中有数。

（2）用目光略读全文，捕捉有关信息。可利用标题、主题句等。例如，读记叙文时我们要问5W，即为何(Why)、什么(What)、谁(Who)、何时(When)、何地(Where)、怎样(How)。例如要找一个人名，我们可以直接找到含有这个人名的句子。（3）停下来读这个句子。如果是答案。我们这个问题就解决了，如果不是，可以继续搜寻查找。同时注意一些关键的提示词和标点符号。如本文的24小题， 文章第一段Long-time exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain and cause trouble in learning and memory, and even anxiety. 和第二段内容While other studies have shown the harmful effects of polluted air in the lungs and heart, this is the first to show the negative effect on the brain.可知答案为C。