Question

    Next time you make yourself a hot cup of tea or coffee, you might want to let it cool down a bit before drinking.

Researchers say letting your hot drinks cool off could help you avoid some kinds of cancer. Researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found evidence that drinks at temperatures above 65℃, when swallowed, can cause cancer of the esophagus（食道）. The researchers examined findings from other studies where tea and coffee were often served at 70℃ or above. Those studies were completed in Iran, China and South America.

In developed countries, health experts have linked esophageal cancer to smoking and alcoholic drinks. However, this form of cancer is more common in areas where people drink beverages（饮料）at very high temperatures.

In Europe and the United States, many people drink coffee and tea at temperatures around 60℃.And they often add milk which lowers the temperature greatly. However, tea-drinkers in Iran and mate-drinkers in South America often enjoy their beverages at closer to 70℃.

The researchers find that South Americans not only drink their mate very hot, they also drink it through a metal straw. This sends the scalding liquid directly into the throat.

The findings, however, are good news for coffee drinkers. In 1991, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed coffee as possibly carcinogenic（致癌的）. The WHO officials have since changed their position on that listing. They now suggest that the temperature of your hot drink is a greater risk factor than the actual drink.

The results suggest that drinking very hot beverages is one probable cause of esophageal cancer and that it is the temperature, rather than the drinks themselves, that appears to be responsible.

1.What might be the cause of esophageal cancer in developed countries?

A. Smoking.

B. Alcoholic drinks.

C. Unhealthy vegetables.

D. Hot drinks.

2.Where do tea-drinkers like adding milk?

A. In China.

B. In Iran.

C. In Europe.

D. In South Africa .

3.What does the underlined word “scalding” in paragraph 5 mean?

A. sweet. B. cold.

C. hot . D. tasteless.

4.Which of the following descriptions is TRUE?

A. Once, the WHO thought coffee would cause cancer.

B. Drinks below 60℃ can cause esophagus cancer.

C. Temperature should not be the cause of cancer.

D. Drinking milk is a much healthier way to keep away from cancer.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.C

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章是美国之音慢速英语健康与生活报道：喝高温热饮或引发癌症。

1.细节理解题。答案定位在第二段Researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found evidence that drinks at temperatures above 65℃, when swallowed, can cause cancer of the esophagus (食道).可知在发达国家，热饮可能会造成食道癌，故选D。

2.细节理解题。答案定位在第四段In Europe and the United States, many people drink coffee and tea at temperatures around 60℃.And they often add milk which lowers the temperature greatly.可知欧洲的饮茶者喜欢添加牛奶，故选C。

3.词义猜测题。答案定位在第五段The researchers find that South Americans not only drink their mate very hot, they also drink it through a metal straw(吸管).可知This sends the scalding liquid directly into the throat.这句话的意思是这把很烫的液体直接送到了喉咙里，“scalding”的意思是烫的，故选C。

4.细节理解题。答案定位在倒数第二段In 1991, the World Health Organization listed coffee as possibly carcinogenic (致癌的).” The WHO officials have since changed their position on that listing.可知曾经，世界卫生组织认为咖啡致癌，故选A。