The groups are kept strictly separated from each other. If workers move between the groups, they first have to change their boots.
When farmers adopted multisite production, it cut down on disease —and pigs actually grew faster.
59. One of the advantages of using antibiotics in the past is that it __________.
A. helped animals grow faster
B. decreased the death rate of animals
C. helped animals have a better appetite
D. increased animal reproduction
60. Pigs were more easily infected in the past because __________.
A. they used antibiotics
B. they were always close together
C. they were raised on the playground
D. they moved from one farm to another
61. The underlined word “superfluous” most probably means __________.
A. abused
B. necessary
C. available
D. addictive
62. The author seems __________ on the issue of dropping antibiotics on pigs.
A. optimistic
B. worried
C. doubtful D indifferent
C
Our risk of cancer rises rapidly as we age. So it makes sense that the elderly should be routinely screened for new tumors （肿瘤）or doesn’t it？
While such tracking of cancer is a good thing in general, researchers are increasingly questioning whether all of this testing is necessary for the elderly. With the percentage of people over age 65 expected to nearly double by 2050, it s important to weigh the health benefits of screening against the risks and costs of routine testing.
In many cases, screening can lead to additional examinations and operations to remove
cancer, which can cause side effects, while the cancers themselves may be slow-growing and may not cause serious health problems in patients’ remaining years. But the message that everyone must screen for cancer has become so ingrained （根深蒂固的） that when health care experts recommended that women under 50 and over 74 stop screening for breast cancer, it caused a noisy reaction among doctors, patients and social groups.
It’s hard to uproot deeply-held beliefs about cancer screening with scientific data. Certainly, there are people over age 75 who have had cancers detected by routine screening, and gained several extra years of life because of treatment. And clearly, people over age 75 who have other risk factors for cancer, such as a family history or previous personal experience with the disease, should continue to get screened regularly. But for the rest, the risk of cancer, while increased at the end of life, must be balanced with other factors like remaining life expectancy.
A recent study suggests that doctors start to make more objective decisions about who will truly benefit from screening—especially considering the explosion of the elderly.
It’s not an easy calcul ation to make, but one that makes sense for patients. Dr. Otis Brawley said, “Many doctors are ordering these tests purely to cover themselves from medical disputes. We need to think about the wise use of health care, which means making some difficult decisions with elderly patients, and going against the misguided belief that when it comes to health care, more is always better.”
63. Routine cancer screening for the elderly people makes sense because ______.
A. it is believed to contribute to a long life
B. it is part of their health care package
C. they are more sensitive about the health
D. they are in greater danger of tumor growth
64. How do some researchers now look at routine cancer screening for the elderly？
A. It adds too much to their medical bills.
B. They are doubtful about its necessity.
C. It helps increase their life expectancy.
D. They think it does more harm than good.
65. What is the traditional view about women screening for breast cancer？
A. It is a must for adult women.
B. It applies to women over 50.
C. It is intended for young women.
D. It doesn’t apply to women over 74.
66. What does the writer say is the general view about health care？
A. Better care, longer life.
B. Prevention is better than cure.
C. Better early than late.
D. The more, the better.
D
The man with the bullhorn encouraged the runners as they made their way up the hill. “Two hours, fifteen minutes, forty seconds . . .”His deep, loud voice boomed toward us.
It was mile 17 of the marathon.
“Hey, great stride!” a bearded viewer yelled to me. He clapped loudly. “You’re looking strong. Keep going—go, go, go!”
You bet I’m looking strong, I thought, as I followed my younger sister, Laura. I just got started. She had been diligently clocking eight-minute miles since the race had begun downtown. Initially in the middle of a pack, which was several thousand people, she had been steadily passing other runners for the past 10 miles or so. We were now on the relatively steep rise to the St. Cecelia Bridge. Once we crossed, we would begin heading back into town,
running along the east side of the Rincon River. Laura had asked me to run the most difficult section of the marathon with her. Not having trained for anything more challenging than a quick walk, and with no experience running in organized events, I figured I might be good for two or three miles.
Up ahead, steel drums were playing. A group of drummers was beating their drums, chanting, and encouraging us with their music and smiles. Crossing the bridge, I recalled the advice in the Marathon Handbook. During my preview of the route, it had seemed like a babyish thing to do. But now it seemed like a fine idea, and I spat magnificently over the side of the bridge.
“I read the handbook, too!” said a woman behind me, who also let loose over the side of the bridge. We had now started a chain reaction of bridge spitters. It was quite a sight, but I had other things to occupy my attention, namely the back of Laura’s sweater.
Easing off the bridge, and heading south on Avila Boulevard, Laura and I found our pace together again. Here we could hang to the left of the group and enjoy some brief conversation. “You keeping up okay？” she asked. Being her older brother, and therefore unable to admit weakness, I nodded convincingly.
“Hey, Lee!” yelled a waving man on the sidewalk. Immediately pleased that my marathon efforts had been recognized by someone I knew, I waved back and reflected on the importance of wearing tie-dyed clothing to a road race of this size. It made it a lot easier to be spotted!
The town marathon is a “people’s” marathon in that it tends to be a family affair, with the runners and spectators creating a festival atmosphere. I managed to run six miles before bowing out, and Laura finished the entire race in under four hours. I now pride myself on telling
people that I ran in a marathon. The distinction between having run a marathon and having run in a marathon seems unimportant. If pressed, however, I’ll admit that I only ran one-fourth of one.
Inspired by this y ear’s experience, I plan to walk the course—really fast—next year. It’s not because I’m jealous of my sister’s accomplishment. This is not some silly competition in which I must do whatever she does. Rather, Laura got free cookies at the finish line, and the promise of that will lead me to any goal.
67. Why did the author write this story？
A. to explain how marathons are won
B. to tell about the history of marathons
C. to tell a story about a marathon experience
D. to show how difficult running in a marathon can be
68. Why was Lee glad he wore a tie-dyed shirt？
A. It helped people locate him easily.
B. The shirt brought him good luck.
C. It added to the festival atmosphere.
D. The shirt was a favorite of Laura’s.
69. Which of the following words best describes Laura as she is presented in this passage？
A. competitive
B. foolish
C. comical
D. carefree
