阅读理解
The gray-haired lady can't wait to leave the building to search for her dad. Unless watched, she will
walk in the streets in an effort to find her father, who died 30 years ago.
Not all cases of Alzheimer's disease look like this, but Alzheimer's is a serious disease that is said to
be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75.
It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer's. In the early
stages, people may exhibit short term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality, easy
to be angry. As the disease progresses, patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to
speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.
While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain's nerve fibers (神经纤维), their effect
is certain. Alzheimer's destroys not only the patients, but also spouses (配偶), friends and families.
What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the
person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Though many
reasons other than Alzheimer's disease may cause memory loss, its early diagnosis (诊断) and treatment
may delay some of the most serious effects.
What feeling will you likely experience should a loved one suffer from Alzheimer's disease? A person
will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock, anger, and so on. If the spouse develops the
disease, you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn't remember you are married.
Life for the Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses, bringing a deep sorrow, loss and even anger towards God. No matter what feelings are present, facing
them honestly will serve one better than burying them.
1. What can be inferred from the passage about the gray-haired lady?
A. She has been living with her father.
B. She was sad about the death of her father.
C. She can't search for her father without being watched.
D. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease.
2. When people suffer from Alzheimer's disease, ________ .
A. their families and friends will suffer from the same disease
B. their families and friends will experience mental sufferings
C. they will certainly die in 8 to 10 years
D. they will forget everybody but their spouses
3. Memory loss occurs ________.
A. from Alzheimer's disease and nothing else
B. from sadness, shock, anger, and so on
C. for a number of reasons
D. with changes in personality
4. From the passage we know that ______ .
A. early treatment may stop Alzheimer's disease occurring
B. it is still unknown what causes the changes in the brain's nerve fibers
C. nerve fibers in the brain will cause Alzheimer's disease
D. when one suffers from Alzheimer's disease, he will be buried'
