阅读理解

     The main cause of a heart attack is not exercise or stress - it's air pollution, according to a study

published in The Lancet this month. Researchers found spending time in traffic, whether as a driver or a

pedestrian(行人), tops the list of risk factors that bring on a heart attack.

     Jon Ayres, professor of environmental and respiratory(呼吸的) medicine at the University of

Birmingham, says, "Air pollution is not only linked to strokes, heart attacks and cancer - it has a deep

effect on those with existing respiratory conditions." So how can you avoid the damage? We asked the

experts for their tips.

TAKE TO THE SIDE STREETS

     Avoid main roads. These have the highest number of vehicles and also more traffic jams, which tend to run on diesel(柴油). Diesel engines emit(排放) tiny particles(粒子) that reach the lungs most easily.

Choose side streets, pavements, parks and avenues lined with trees.

BUY SOME HOUSEPLANTS

     We spend 90 percent of our time inside, but studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have found that pollution levels can be two to five times higher indoors than outside. Objects such as synthetic(合成的) carpets, TV screens can emit chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOC,挥发性有机化合物), which have been linked to diseases such as cancer. Researchers at Curtin University in Perth,

Australia, found an increase in asthma (哮喘) risk among children under three who had high VOC levels

in their homes. Therefore, the application of air fresheners and houseplants can keep the circulation of the

air and absorb the pollutants.

1. According to the first paragraph, what causes a heart attack mainly?

A. Exercise      

B. Stress   

C. Traffic      

D. Air pollution

2. For people's health, which of the following should NOT be chosen, according to the passage?

A. Side streets

B. Main streets

C. Pavements

D. Parks

3. From the last paragraph, we can infer that _______.

A. Pollution levels can be two to five times higher indoors than outside

B. Objects such as synthetic carpets, TV screens can not cause diseases

C. The risk of cancer is higher indoors than outside

D. The application of air fresheners and houseplants can keep the circulation of the air and absorb the pollutants

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Tips to avoid the damage of air pollution

B. Air pollution is the main cause of a heart attack

C. Air pollution is linked to strokes, heart attacks and cancer

D. Pollution levels can be two to five times higher indoors than outside