2015理解强化练习及解析(10) It is said that inEngland death is pressing, in Canada inevitable and in California optional.Small wonder. Americans life expectancy has nearly doubled over the past century. Failinghips can be replaced, clinical depression controlled, cataracts removed in a30-minute surgical procedure. Such advances offer the aging population aquality of life that was unimaginable when I entered medicine 50 years ago. Butnot even a great health-care system can cure deathand ourfailure to confront that reality now threatens this greatness of ours。 Death is normal; we are genetically programmed to disintegrate andperish, even under ideal conditions. We all understand that at some level, yetas medical consumers we treat death as a problem to be solved. Shielded bythird-party payers from the cost of our care, we demand everything that canpossibly be done for us, even if it s useless. The most obvious example islate-stage cancer care. Physiciansfrustrated by theirinability to cure the disease and fearing loss of hope in the patienttoo oftenoffer aggressive treatment far beyond what is scientifically justified。 In 1950, the U.S. spent $12.7 billion on health care. In 2002, thecost will be $1,540 billion. Anyone can see this trend is unsustainable. Yet fewseem willing to try to reverse it. Some scholars conclude that a governmentwith finite resources should simply stop paying for medical care that sustainslife beyond a certain agesay 83 or so. Former Colorado governor Richard Lamm has been quotedas saying that the old and infirm have a duty to dieand get out of the way so that younger, healthier people can realize their potential。 I would not go that far. Energetic people now routinely workthrough their 60s and beyond, and remain dazzlingly productive. At 78, Viacomchairman Sumner Redstone jokingly claims to be 53. Supreme Court Justice SandraDay O Connor is in her 70s, and former surgeon general C. Everett Koop chairsan Internet start-up in his 80s.These leaders are living proof that preventionworks and that we can manage the health problems that come naturally with age.As a mere 68-year-old, I wish to age as productively as they have。 Yet there are limits to what a society can spend in this pursuit.Ask a physician, I know the most costly and dramatic measures may beineffective and painful. I also know that people in Japan and Sweden, countriesthat spend far less on medical care, have achieved longer, healthier lives thanwe have. As a nation, we may be overfunding the quest for unlikely cures whileunderfunding research on humbler therapies that could improve people s lives。 36. What is implied in the first sentence? [A] Americans are better prepared for death than other people。 [B] Americans enjoy a higher life quality than ever before。 [C] Americans are over-confident of their medical technology。 [D] Americans take a vain pride in their long life expectancy。 37. The author uses the example of cancer patients to show that [A] medical resources are often wasted。 [B] doctors are helpless against fatal diseases。 [C] some treatments are too aggressive。 [D] medical costs are becoming unaffordable。 38. The author s attitude to ward Richard Lamm s remark is one of [A] strong disapproval。 [B] reserved consent。 [C] slight contempt。 [D] enthusiastic support。 39. In contras to the U.S. ,Japan and Sweden are funding theirmedical care [A] more flexibly。 [B] more extravagantly。 [C] more cautiously。 [D] more reasonably。 40. The text intends to express the idea that [A] medicine will further prolong people s lives。 [B] life beyond a certain limit is not worth living。 [C] death should be accepted as a fact of life。 [D] excessive demands increase the cost of health care。
下一篇: 2015考研英语阅读理解强化练习及解析5
体坛英语资讯:Did Yi get an All-Star snub?
体坛英语资讯:Sampras upstages Federer in exhibition
体坛英语资讯:Capello just the tonic for England
体坛英语资讯:We are one big happy family
体坛英语资讯:Vintage Federer wins fourth Masters Cup
体坛英语资讯:New Asian champion Pan returns to starting line
美国和俄罗斯的关系从重启走向倒退
体坛英语资讯:From dark horse to freestyle favorite
体坛英语资讯:England fails to qualify for Euro 2008
体坛英语资讯:Xinjiang stripped of CBA playoff spot
体坛英语资讯:Rocket explosion
体坛英语资讯:Olympic champion Zhang scared at ProTour Finals
体坛英语资讯:McClaren pays price for England Euro flop
体坛英语资讯:Alonso and Hamilton wait on FIA hearings
体坛英语资讯:Pairs skaters challenged by system
体坛英语资讯:Officials: Player swaps help golf grow in China
体坛英语资讯:Injured volleyball aces return for Olympic training session
体坛英语资讯:Spurs cruise past McGrady-less Rockets
体坛英语资讯:Totti denies considering Italy return
体坛英语资讯:Gonzalez stuns Federer in round-robin in Shanghai
体坛英语资讯:Xinjiang likely to be booted from CBA playoffs for cheating
体坛英语资讯:FA hold talks with Capello
体坛英语资讯:Wang ready to bounce back in 2008
体坛英语资讯:Hurdler Liu to skip Golden League for Games
体坛英语资讯:CBA struggling to find TV audience
体坛英语资讯:Capello greeted with cheers and jeers
体坛英语资讯:Diving champ marries pop singer
体坛英语资讯:Ekstroem beats Schumacher in Wembley final
体坛英语资讯:Mourning career likely over after knee injury
体坛英语资讯:Generous Spurs hand Arsenal early Christmas gift