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II. Read the following passages then choose the best answer for each question.
Passage A
Medical research on the prevention of strokes has recently made several breakthroughs.
The researchers studied strokes that are caused by an irregular heart rhythm that produces blood
clots. When those clots get lodged in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, they reduce blood
flow and produce a stroke. The use of the blood-thinning drug warfarin cuts the risk of stroke by
67 percent. Up to 75,000 Americans who have strokes each year suffer from irregular rhythms.
The data also suggest that aspirin is effective and is a reasonable alternative. Doctors might feel
more comfortable prescribing aspirin because of the slight possibility that warfarin may lead to
internal bleeding.
In separate studies with patients with severe narrowing of the carotid artery, one of the
most common causes of stroke, a form of surgery now exists which effectively prevents strokes.
The surgery involves the removal of a portion of the carotid artery in the neck when it is partially
blocked by cholesterol deposits. When the blocked portion has been removed, the artery is
reconnected with an artificial tube or a vein from elsewhere in the body.
The research on stroke prevention has showed such dramatic results that doctors have
abruptly halted the studies to make the information available to all patients.
88. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A. Surgery to Prevent Strokes
B. Strokes and Their causes
C. New measures for Preventing Strokes
D. Doctors Halt Studies
89. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true of the drug warfarin?
A. It might possibly lead to internal bleeding
B. It has been effective in preventing strokes
C. It has been used in research studies on people with irregular heartbeats
D. It eliminates cholesterol deposits in arteries
90. It can be inferred form the passage that strokes are a result of _________.
A. reduced blood flow to the brain
B. expansion of the carotid artery
C. taking too many aspirin
D. internal bleeding
91. According to the article, the data about aspirin suggest that __________.
A. it is not as useful as warfarin
B. it is linked to internal bleeding
C. it could be used instead of warfarin
D. it is a substitute for surgery of the carotid artery
92. The word “it” refers to ________.
A. neck B. carotid artery C. surgery D. a stroke
93. We can conclude from the passage that the attitude of doctors toward the results of the stroke
prevention research is ___________.
A. cautious B. positive C. frustrated D. indifferent
94. The word “breakthroughs” is closet in meaning to ____________.
A. publications B. advances C. awards D. operations
95. The word “cuts” is closest in meaning to _______________.
A. severs B. interferes C. illustrates D. reduces
Passage B
Exposure to bright light may hold the key to helping people who suffer from jet lag and
other sleep disorders. In a study of 14 men exposed to fluorescent lighting at various times during
a 24-hour stretch, research scientists have discovered that the body’s natural alarm clock can be
reset over a period of two or three days. This cut in third the time required for adjustments in the
body after long international flights.
Dr. Charles Czeisler, director of the research team, believes that light has a direct biological
effect on the sleep-wake cycle of the body. The hypothalamus, the brain’s sleep regulator, is
connected straight to nerves in the eye’s retina. Dr. Czeisler’s theory is that light impulses are the
primary factor in resetting the sleep-wake cycle. This stands in contrast to accepted belief that light
only indirectly affects the cycle by making it more difficult to sleep.
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