Question

    A single cigarette sold on a street corner may not cost a lot; however, the whole costs of smoking are huge.

First, consider the cost of human life. The World Health Organization says about 10 people die of a tobacco-related disease every minute. That speed adds up to almost six million people dying of such diseases every year.

Most of these preventable（可预防的）deaths happen in low-income and middle-income countries. The World Bank says each of these countries has a total national income（收入）of less than $12,746.

The World Health Organization says tobacco kills 6 million people yearly — a number that is expected to rise to 8 million by 2030 unless immediate action is taken.

For most people, stopping smoking is hard. Many began smoking as teenagers. They are used to it. Also, tobacco contains the powerful drug nicotine.

Studies show people who want to stop smoking can do so with different treatments. Some get help from electronic cigarettes, medicine or nicotine patches that reduce their desire for the drug.

But smoking costs more than the life of a person. It can affect the health of the whole country. The World Health Organization says low-income countries depend heavily on taxes from cigarettes. They use the money, in part, to pay the costs of health care for tobacco-related diseases.

But the illegal trade in tobacco products is further testing the economies of low-income countries. WHO officials say the illegal trade earns about $31 billion every year.

Douglas Bettcher is the director of the WHO’s Department for the Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases. He calls the illegal trade a monster with many heads. He says the trade enables young people to buy cigarettes at low prices, become addicted to tobacco and suffer from serious health problems. It also increases crime and reduces taxes.

The World Health Organization is strongly suggesting that the United Nations member states sign an agreement to end the illegal trade in tobacco products. Eight countries have agreed to the agreement. But the agreement of 32 other countries is still needed for it to become an international law.

1.According to the passage, people dying of a tobacco-related disease are mostly from ______.

A.developed countries B.high-income countries

C.less developed countries D.the United Nations

2.Which of the following about the whole costs of smoking is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A.Destroying the environment. B.Being bad to human life.

C.Affecting the whole country’s economy. D.Causing the illegal trade.

3.What’s the main idea of the last but one paragraph?

A.Some action has been taken by the WHO.

B.The harm of the illegal trade in tobacco products.

C.Young people who are addicted to smoking may commit a crime.

D.An agreement to end the illegal trade in tobacco products is being signed.

4.Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A.Smoking Costs More than You Think

B.Different Ways to Stop Smoking

C.The Illegal Trade in Tobacco Products

D.Immediate Action to Stop Smoking

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.A

【解析】

文章属于说明文。街头卖的一根香烟可能要不了多少钱，但是吸烟的总代价是非常巨大的。吸烟的代价超出你的想象，不仅仅让人丧命，而且还会对社会带来严重负面影响。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中的 “Most of these preventable（可预防的）deaths happen in low-income and middle-income countries”可知，这些可预防的死亡大多发生在低收入和中等收入国家，可以推断，死于与烟草相关的疾病的人大多数来自不发达国家。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的 “about 10 people die of a tobacco related disease every minute”可知，每分钟约有10人死于与烟草有关的疾病，对人类健康有害，B项表述正确；根据第七段内容“It can affect the health of the whole country” 它可以影响整个国家的健康，这里的健康引申一个国家的经济命脉，可知C项表述正确；根据倒数第三段中的“the illegal trade in tobacco products” 烟草制品的非法贸易，可知烟草造成非法贸易，D项表述正确。A项在原文中没有提及，故选A。

3.主旨大意题。根据倒数第二段“He calls the illegal trade a monster with many heads. ...suffer from serious health problems. It also increases crime and reduces taxes.”可知，他把这种非法贸易称为多头怪物。......烟草让人患有严重的健康问题。它还增加了犯罪并减少了税收，所以本段主要讲述了非法烟草贸易的危害。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据全文内容尤其是第一段中的“A single cigarette sold on a street corner may not cost a lot; however, the whole costs of smoking are huge.” 在街角卖一支烟可能不会花很多钱，但是，吸烟的总成本是巨大的。可知吸烟成本比你想象的要巨大为最佳标题。故选A。