阅读理解。
A ban on smoking in public places has come into effect on May 1,2011 in China-home to one third of
the world's smokers.
The ban is aimed at controlling the number of deaths from smoking-related diseases, running at a
million deaths a year. That figure is predicted to double by 2020. The new smoking ban is an attempt to
prevent that prediction coming true.
The new rules forbid people from smoking in places like hotels, railway stations or theatres, but not
including the office. Employers can warn their staff of the dangers of smoking but cannot forbid them from smoking at their desks.
But the new rules have been criticized because they do not describe in detail the punishments for
businesses or individuals who flout them. Quite many smokers do not seem to take much notice of them.
Often you find people smoking at next table while you are eating your meal or having a drink in a bar. In
bus stops as well as in railway stations smoking can also be seen here and there. Business owners are also angry at the efforts to force them to ban smoking on their premises (经营场所), because many customers refuse to go to restaurants or places of entertainment where smoking is forbidden.
It appears that many Chinese people are unaware of the dangers of smoking. Research suggests that
only one in four knows the harm cigarettes can cause. Officials say they have to try to persuade people
not to smoke to try to reduce the numbers dying from smoking-related diseases. At the same time,
however, the local governments make a lot of money from the sales of cigarettes by the state-owned firm
that makes and sells tobacco products throughout the country.
1. From May 1, 2011, it is forbidden to smoke ______.
A. at the restaurant
B. in the car
C. in the office
D. in any places
2. The number of deaths caused by smoking by 2020 will probably be _____.
A. one million a year
B. two million a year
C. three million a year
D. four million a year
3. What does the underlined word "flout" in Para 4 mean?
A. be in favor of
B. object to
C. act against
D. be unaware of
4. Why is it difficult for the ban to be carried out?
①Because the ban on smoking is not written into the law.
②Because there are no clear regulations about punishment.
③Because cigarette firms continue producing cigarettes.
④Because not so many Chinese know about the danger of smoking.
A. ①②③
B. ①②④
C. ①③④
D. ②③④
