阅读理解。
American this year will swallow 15,000 tons of aspirin, one of the safest and most effective drugs
invented by man. The most popular medicine in the world today, it is an effective pain reliever. Its bad
effects are relatively mild and it is cheap.
For millions of people suffering from arthritis (关节炎). It is the only thing that works. Aspirin, in
short, is truly the 20th-century wonder drug. It is also the second largest suicide drug and is the leading
cause of poisoning among children. It has side effects that, although relatively mild, are largely unrecognized
among users.
Although aspirin was at first sold by a German company in1899, it has been around much longer than
that. Hippocrates, in ancient Greek, understood the medical value of the leaves and tree bark which today
are known to contain salicylates (水杨酸碱), the chemical in aspirin. During the 19th century, there was
a great deal of experimentation in Europe with this chemical, and it led to the introduction of aspirin. By 1915,
aspirin tablets were available in the United States.
A small quantity of aspirin (two-grain tablets) relieves pain and inflammation. It also reduces fever by
interfering with (干预) some of the body's reactions.
1. The passage is written to ______.
A. suggests us using more aspirin
B. reminds us of the side effects of aspirin
C. gives us a whole view of aspirin
D. discusses the good effects of aspirin
2. According to the author, aspirin ______.
A. is very safe
B. first appeared in 1899
C. can be harmful to children
D. can hardly be dangerous
3. Generally speaking, the author seems to be ______.
A. in favour of aspirin
B. against the use of aspirin
C. not interested in aspirin
D. careful in using aspirin
4. What is the best title for this passage?
A. How to Use Aspirin
B. Why I Take Aspirin
C. The Most Popular Medicine
D. The Side Effects of Aspirin
