Tattoos（纹身） have been used both to indicate high rank and to brand society’s outcasts（补抛弃者）. But perhaps most of all, the permanent designs created by tattoos have been used simply to decorate the human body.

       Tattoos are designs made on the body by cutting or picking the skin and inserting（嵌入）  pigment, or coloring, into the scratch（划痕）. Because the color is under the skin, a tattoo is usually permanent. Devices used to prick the skin have included sharpened bones, thorns, knives, and needles. Some Eskimo and Siberian peoples used a needle to draw a color-coated thread under the skin. A technique similar to tattooing is cicatrisation, in which the skin is cut to create permanent scars. Modern electric needles have refined the tattooing process.

       Tattoos have been found on Egyptian mummies dating back to about 2000 BC. They were worn by ancient Greeks, and Britons, by the Japanese, and by tribal peoples in America, New Zealand, and many pacific islands. Their purposes varied. Many people thought tattooed designs were magical protection against misfortune, as do some present-day Arabs who tattoo themselves to ward off evil. Sometimes tattooing was a mark of courage or gave the illusion of courage. The Maoris of New Zealand tattooed elaborate designs on their faces to disguise（掩饰） expressions of fear. Early Japanese wore tattoos to show their rank in society. Tattoos were used in the 19^th century to brand criminals and in the 20^th century to label inmates of Nazi concentration camps.

       Tattooing has always been remarkable in a decorative, cosmetic capacity. Centuries ago Japanese men who bared their chests in their work, such as carpenters, decorated themselves with tattoos. Tattoos were popular among American and European sailors. Though the use of tattoos has declined, it gained publicity in the 1980s as a permanent eyeliner for women. Physicians warned, however, that this could have unwanted side effects. Tattooing has been liked with cancer, and contaminated tattooing equipment can spread diseases, including AIDS.

1．From the passage we learn that              .

       A．all tattoos were not worn for the same purpose

       B．tattoos are designed patterns made on the surface of the skin

       C．ancient Egyptians and Greeks wore tattoos as a decoration

       D．there has been a growing tattooing tendency among women since 1980

2．How many different purposes of tattoos are mentioned in the third paragraph?

       A．Five.                   B．Six.                     C．Seven.                D．Eight.

3．According to passage, one side effect of tattooing lies in the fact that        .

       A．tattooing creates permanent scars on the body

       B．tattooing can spread diseases like AIDS

       C．tattooing could contribute to cancer

       D．tattooing make people suffer a great deal

4．In the passage it is suggested that        .

       A．the Eskimos and Siberians shared the same purpose wearing tattoos

       B．it was discovered that the Egyptians were the first to tattoo themselves

       C．some Arab people hold the belief that tattoos can drive off evil

       D．women paid no attention to tattoos until the late 19th century