阅读理解

　　Alzheimer’s disease(早老性痴呆病)is a major national health problem．Nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease．It is a leading cause of death among the elderly．But Alzheimer’s disease is not confined(限于)to the aged．There may be a million or more people under the age of 65 suffering from the disease．

　　At one time．people suffering from the disease were said to be“getting old”．The disease was thought to be a natural part of growing old, but it is now known that Alzheimer’s disease strikes young and old alike．It is an organic disease that destroys brain cells．

　　Alzheimer’s disease affects the patient’s memory, speech and movement．In the beginning stages of the disease, the patient may seem slightly confused．He may have trouble in speaking．

　　Then the patient’s memory begins to fail．He may forget dates, telephone numbers, names and plans．

　　As the disease progresses．the patient may not recognize his family and friends．These symptoms(症状)often cause terrible anxiety in the patient．He may feel lost and frightened．Sometimes the patient reacts with wild and bad behavior．

　　In the last stages of the disease．the patient may not be able to take care of himself．He may have lost the ability to speak and walk．

　　Scientists don’t know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease．It may be caused by a virus or a poisonous substance in the environment．At present, there is no cure for the disease．But there are ways to slow its progress．Exercise and physical treatment can help the patients of this disease．

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　　Like most parents, I teach my children to say“thank You” frequently．What I hope to teach them is not to say Thanks 　　1　　, but to feel it．I believe that thankful people are 　　2　　 people．

　　Dr．Fulton Oursler used to tell of Anna, who 　　3　　 him when he was a child．Without any relatives, Anna worked in his family for many years, who not only 　　4　　 her thanks, but feIt it．

　　He remembered her sitting at the kitchen table, her hands 　　5　　 and her eyes closed as she prayed(祷告), “Much obliged(非常感谢), Lord, for my vittles．”He asked her what vittles were and she 　　6　　 that they were food and drink．He told her 　　7　　 she gave thanks, she would get food and drink．and Anna said, “Yes, we'll get our vittles, but it makes them taste better when we're 　　8　　．”She told him that a man taught her to 　　9　　 look for things to be thankful for．So, as soon as she awoke each morning she asked herself, “What is the 　　10　　 thing I can be Thankful today?”Sometimes the smell of early-morning coffee in the kitchen found its way to her room and she would say, “Much obliged, Lord, for the 　　11　　!”

　　Young Oursler grew up and left his 　　12　　．One day he received a message that Anna was 　　13　　．He returned home and found her in bed with her hands folded just as he had seen them in prayer before．

　　He 　　14　　 what she could give thanks for this time．As if she could read his 　　15　　, she opened her eyes and looked at the loving faces around her bed．Then, 　　16　　 her eyes, she said quietly“Much obliged, Lord, for such fine 　　17　　．”

　　Oursler was deeply 　　18　　 by Anna's ability to always find some 　　19　　 to say“Much obliged．”This wise woman 　　20　　 him how to be happy．