15.To smoke or not to smoke?Laws that ban smoking in public places are not exactly a new idea.One of the world's first smoking bans was introduced in 1575,when the Roman Catholic Church passed a law that made it illegal to smoke in any church in the Spanish colonies of Central America.In the eighteenth century,a number of German and Austrian cities also banned smoking,not in specific locations or buildings,but anywhere in the city.Some of these bans were based on ideas about health.Others were more concerned with safety.The Old Government Building in Wellington,New Zealand banned smoking in the 19th century because the building was made entirely of wood; smoking was a fire risk.
In the second half of the twentieth century,campaigns began to make people aware of the health dangers of smoking,and the concept of passive smoking-or breathing other people's smoke-became a widespread concern.As a result,governments passed laws in the 1970s to control the use of tobacco,and restaurants and other public places began to create smoking and non-smoking sections.But it wasn't until the late 1990s that public smoking bans became widespread.California led the way in the US when it became the first US state to prohibit smoking in all public places in 1998.By 2010,nearly eighty percent of American states had introduced smoking bans.Elsewhere,ventilation systems were installed in public places,and smokers'lounges were created as alternatives to complete bans.
Not everyone is happy about the introduction of smoking bans.Not surprisingly,tobacco companies,restaurants and bars are concerned about losing business because of the new restrictions.Smokers often complain that by limiting the places where they can smoke,smoking bans unfairly limit their freedom.Plus,it is difficult to break the habit and give up smoking.But nowadays most people accept the overwhelming scientific evidence that smoking harms our health and can cause lung and heart disease.Furthermore,research shows that smoking bans have resulted in a reduction in smoking-related diseases and deaths.We shall have to see whether in the future every country in the world will follow suit and impose bans on smoking in public places.
51.One of the earliest anti-smoking laws prohibited smokingD
A.anywhere in Central American cities.
B.in wooden churches around the world.
C.in churches in Mexico and other Spanish colonies.
D.in Spanish colonies around the world.
52.In modern times laws about smoking were introduced becauseB
A.smokers wanted special areas to smoke in.
B.governments wanted to publicise the health dangers of smoking.
C.of fears about second-hand smoke.
D.more and more people started smoking.
53.The smoking ban in California was important becauseA
A.it set an example for other US states.
B.it made use of ventilation technology.
C.it wasn't possible to smoke in 80% of public places.
D.restaurants had to create smokers'lounges.
54.Many smokers feel thatD
A.it is difficult to prove that smoking has a negative effect on health.
B.it is impossible to change people's habits.
C.they are not consulted about anti-smoking laws.
D.people should be free to choose where they want to smoke.
55.According to research,smoking bansD
A.will be imposed in all countries in the future.
B.are most effective in public places.
C.make it easier to stop smoking.
D.have had a positive effect on people's health.
分析 本文属于说明文阅读,作者通过这篇文章主要向我们描述了吸烟危害健康,政府发布了禁烟令,想宣传吸烟对健康的危害,研究表明禁止吸烟对人的健康有积极的影响.
解答 51.D.细节理解题.根据第一段One of the world's first smoking bans was introduced in 1575,when the Roman Catholic Church passed a law that made it illegal to smoke in any church in the Spanish colonies of Central America可知最早禁止吸烟的禁烟法是在西班牙殖民地发布的;故选D.
52.B.细节理解题.根据第二段campaigns began to make people aware of the health dangers of smoking,and the concept of passive smoking-or breathing other people's smoke-became a widespread concern可知现代吸烟法的出台是因为政府想宣传吸烟对健康的危害;故选B.
53.A.推理判断题.根据第二段California led the way in the US when it became the first US state to prohibit smoking in all public places in 1998可知加利福尼亚的禁烟令很重要因为这为其他美国州树立一个榜样;故选A.
54.D.细节理解题.根据最后一段Smokers often complain that by limiting the places where they can smoke,smoking bans unfairly limit their freedom可知许多吸烟者认为大家可以自由选择他们想抽烟的地方;故选D.
55.D.细节理解题.根据最后一段Furthermore,research shows that smoking bans have resulted in a reduction in smoking-related diseases and deaths可知根据研究,禁止吸烟对人的健康有积极的影响;故选D.
点评 考察学生的细节理解和推理判断能力,做细节理解题时一定要找到文章中的原句,和题干进行比较,再做出正确的选择.在做推理判断题不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实,要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断.