阅读理解
Mercury (汞), an unusual element, is poisonous and can be found just about
everywhere. It can also exist as an organic compound, the most common of which
is methylmercury (甲基汞). While we can take steps to avoid both elemental and inorganic
mercury, it is much harder to avoid methylmercury.
Most of the mercury in the environment comes from coal-burning
power plants. The concentration of mercury in the air from power plants is very
low, so it is not immediately dangerous. However, the mercury is then washed
out of the air by rainstorms and eventually ends up in lakes and oceans.
The mercury in the water doesn't immediately get absorbed by fish,
as elemental mercury doesn't easily spread into cells. However, methylmercury
spreads into cells easily, and certain bacteria in the water change the
elemental mercury to methylmercury. Methylmercury in the water spreads into
plankton (浮游生物). Small animals eat the plankton and absorb the methylmercury in
the plankton and then large animals eat small animals and absorb the
methylmercury. Because each animal passes the methylmercury much more slowly
than it absorbs it, methylmercury builds up in the animal over time and is
passed on to whatever animal eats it.
As people became aware of the concentration of mercury in fish,
many reacted by removing seafood from their diet. Scientists have studied the
effects of mercury. By determining the levels of mercury consumption that cause
any of the known symptoms of mercury poisoning, they were able to identify a
safe level of mercury consumption. The current recommendation is for humans to
take in less than 0. 1 microgram of mercury for every kilogram of weight per
day. This means that a 70-kilogram person (about 155 pounds) could safely
consume 7 micrograms of mercury per day.
Nutritionists recommend that, rather than remove fish from our
diet, we try to eat more of the low-mercury fish and less of the high-mercury
fish. Low-mercury species tend to be smaller fish while high-mercury species
tend to be the largest carnivorous (食肉的) fish. Awareness
of the particulars of this problem, accompanied by mindful eating habits, will
keep us on the best course for healthy eating.
(1)
What does Paragraph 3 mainly explain?
A . The relationships between small animals and large animals.
B . The process by which large animals absorb mercury.
C . The reasons why mercury in the water isn't harmful to fish.
D . The difference between methymercury and other types of mercury
(2)
What should people consider when eating seafood to ensure a safe mercury intake?
A . The other meats they are eating.
B . Where seafood was caught.
C . What they ate the day before.
D . Their own body weight.
(3)
Which of the following about mercury poisoning does the author agree with?
A . Its symptoms remain unclear.
B . It's not a big deal.
C . It can be avoided effectively.
D . Its consequence is immediate.
(4)
What can we learn from the text?
A . It's impossible to avoid mercury completely.
B . Humans get mercury mainly from fish consumption.
C . Inorganic mercury is more harmful than organic mercury.
D . Mercury from power plants can gather together easily in the air.
答案: B
D
C
A