阅读理解。
Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people around the world. American researchers say the disease
will affect more than one hundred million people worldwide by the year twenty fifty. That would be four
times the current (现在的) number. Researchers and doctors have been studying Alzheimer's patients for
a century. Yet the cause and cure for the mental (智力的) sickness are still unknown. However, some
researchers have made important steps towards understanding it.
Several early signs of the disease involve (涉及) memory and thought processes. At first, patients have
trouble remembering little things. Later, they have trouble remembering more important things, such as the
names of their children.
There are also some physical tests that might show who is at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
The tests look for proteins (蛋白质) in brain and spinal cord fluid (脊髓). The proteins appear to be found
only in people with the disease. The protein tests correctly identify (确定) the presence of the disease in
about ninety percent of patients.
Now, a much simpler physical test to predict Alzheimer's risk has been developed. Researchers found
that trouble with the sense of smell can be one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. Using this information,
they developed a test in which people were asked to identify twelve familiar smells. These smells included
cinnamon (桂皮), black pepper, chocolate, paint thinner (涂料稀释剂), and smoke.
The study continued for five years. During this period, the same people were asked to take several tests
measuring their memory and thought abilities. Fifty percent of those who could not identify at least four of
the smells in the first test had trouble with their memory and thinking in the next five years.
Another study has shown a possible way to reduce a person's chances of developing Alzheimer's disease
in old age. Researchers in Chicago found that people who use their brains more often are less likely to develop
Alzheimer's disease. Those who read a newspaper, or play chess or word games are about three times less
likely to develop the condition.
Researchers say they still do not know what causes Alzheimer's disease. But they say these findings might
help prevent the disease in the future.
1. What's the main idea of the passage? [ ]
A. Some early signs of the Alzheimer's disease.
B. Some physical tests about Alzheimer's disease.
C. The research about Alzheimer's disease.
D. The patients of Alzheimer's disease.
2. How many Alzheimer's patients now around the world? [ ]
A. 100 million
B. 25 million
C. 400 million
D. 20million
3. What is not the early sign of the Alzheimer's disease according to the passage? [ ]
A. Poor memory.
B. Proteins exist in the brain.
C. Trouble with the sense of smell.
D. Less use of the brain.
4. What does the underlined word "it" in paragraph 1 refer to? [ ]
A. Alzheimer's disease.
B. Alzheimer's patients.
C. The cause and cure.
D. The research.
5. According to the passage, we can learn that _____. [ ]
A. there are no proteins in the brains of the people with no Alzheimer's disease
B. the people who often use their brains will not get Alzheimer's disease
C. researchers and doctors have found ways to cure Alzheimer's disease
D. the people who have the trouble with the sense of smell will certainly suffer from Alzheimer's disease
