英语四级阅读理解练习：健康的重要性

　　Part of the myth is that liquor signals professional success. In a men's magazine, one full-page ad for Scotch whiskey shows two men seated in an elegant restaurant. Both are in their thirties, perfectly groomed, and wearing expensive grey suits. The windows'are draped (悬挂) with velvet (天鹅绒) > the table with spotless white linen. Each place-setting consists of a long-stemmed water goblet, silver utensils and thick silver plates. On each plate is half-empty cocktail glass. The two men are grinning and shaking hands, as if they've just concluded a business deal. The caption reads, "The taste of success. "

　　Contrary to what the liquor company would have us believe, drinking is more closely related to lack of success than to achievement. Among students, the heaviest drinkers have the lowest grades. In the work force, alcoholics are frequently late or absent, tend to perform poorly, and often get fired. Although, alcohol abuse occurs in all economic classes, it remains most severe among the poor.

　　Another part of the alcohol myth is that drinking makes you more attractive to the opposite sex. "Hot, hot, hot," one commercial's soundtrack(电影配乐) begins, as the camera scans a crowd of college-age beachgoers. Next it follows the curve of a woman's leg up to her bare hip and lingers there. She is young, beautiful, wearing a bikini. A young guy, carrying an ice chest (箱子), positions himself near to where she sits. He is tan, muscular. She doesn't show much interest—until he opens the chest and takes out a beer. Now she smiles over at him. He raises his eyebrows and, invitingly, holds up another can. She joins him. This beer, the song concludes, "attracts like no other. "

　　Beer doesn't make anyone sexier. Like all alcohol, it lowers the levels of male hormones in men and of female hormones in women—even when taken in small amounts. In substantial amounts, alcohol can cause infertility(不生育) in women and impotence (阳萎|) in men. Some alcoholic men develop enlarged breasts, from their increased female hormones.

　　The alcohol myth also creates the illusion that beer and athletics are a perfect combination. One billboard features three high-action images: a baseball player running at top speed, a surfer riding a wave, and a basketball player leaping to make a dunk shot. A particular light beer, the billboard promises, "won't slow you down. "

　　"Slow you down" is exactly what alcohol does. Drinking plays a role in over six million injuries each year—not counting automobile accidents. Even in small amounts, alcohol dulls the brain, reducing muscle coordination and slowing reaction time. It also interferes with the ability to focus the eyes and adjust to a sudden change in brightness—such as the flash of a car's headlights. Drinking and driving, responsible for over half of all automobile deaths, is the leading cause of death among teenagers. Continued alcohol abuse can physically alter the brain, permanently damaging learning and memory. Long-term drinking is related to malnutrition, weakening of the bones, and ulcers. It increases the risk of liver failure, heart disease, and stomach cancer.

　　Finally, according to the myth fostered by the media in our culture, alcohol generates a warm glow of happiness that unifies the family. In one popular film, the only food visible at a wedding reception is an untouched wedding cake, but beer, whiskey, and vodka flow freely. Most of the guests are drunk. After shouting into the microphone to get everyone's attention, the band leader asks the bride and groom to come forward. They are presented with two wine-filled silver drinking cups. "If you can drink your cups without spilling any wine," the band leader tells them, "you will have good luck for the rest of your lives. " The couple drain their cups without taking a breath, and the crowd cheers.

　　A marriage, however, is unlikely to be "lucky" if alcohol plays a major role in it. Nearly two-thirds of domestic violence involves drinking. Alcohol abuse by parents is strongly tied to child neglect and juvenile delinquency. Drinking during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage and is a major cause of such birth defects as deformed limbs and mental retardation. Those who depend on alcohol are far from happy: over a fourth of the patients in state and county mental institutions have alcohol problems; more than half of all violent crimes are alcohol-related; the rate of suicide among alcoholics is fifteen times higher than among the general population.

　　Alcohol, some would have us believe, is part of being successful, sexy, healthy, and happy. But those who have suffered from it—directly or indirectly—know otherwise. For alcohol's victims, "Here's to your health" rings with a terrible irony when it is accompanied by the clink of liquor glasses.

　　1. The author provides lots of evidence to refute the harmful myth about drinking.

　　2. We can conclude from the passage that the media and the culture of American society promote false beliefs about alcohol.

　　3. Paragraph four tells us that alcoholics will never succeed if they don't quit drinking.

　　4. Instead of making people more attractive, alcohol makes man womanlike.

　　5. Drinking is one of the main causes of death among teenagers.

　　6. The sentence ". . . our society encourages drinking. " is simply based on the fact that there are so many ads for alcohol in magazines and on TV.

　　7. Something must be done to restrain alcohol abuse before it is too late.

　　8. Over six million injuries each year are related to______.

　　9. The life of those who are addicted to drinking is______.

　　10. Besides a major cause of birth defects, drinking during pregnancy can lead to______.

　　答案：

　　1. Y 2. Y 3. N 4. N 5. Y 6. N 7. NG 8. drinking 9. far from happy 10. miscarriage