51. The article is intended to　　　 .

　　　 A. explain the effects of the drug Ecstasy on many different brain systems

　　　 B. warn youngsters of the risk of taking the drug Ecstasy

　　　 C. convince people of the abuse of the drug Ecstasy

　　　 D. tell us the links between the drug Ecstasy and Parkinson's disease

50. In some countries, the governments control the installment plan to 　　　　.

　　　 A. increase employment

　　　 B. avoid depressions

　　　 C. ensure that businesses make good profits

　　　 D. ensure that people can pay for what they buy

C

A single night of taking the drug Ecstasy(摇头丸) can cause serious brain damage and speed up the start of Parkinson's disease, scientists say. Just two to three Ecstasy tablets -- a quantity that thousands of clubbers take during parties -- can permanently destroy brain cells that affect movement and reasoning, according to American research that links the drug to Parkinson's for the first time.

A study by a team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, involving squirrel monkeys and baboons(狒狒) found that both species suffered permanent damage to key cells called dopamine neurons, which are lost in Parkinson's, after receiving three low doses of Ecstasy at three-hour periods.

The study is particularly significant because baboons are one of the best animal models for the human brain. George Ricaurte, who led the research, said that widespread abuse of the drug may already be claiming victims of such neurological(神经性的) damage. “The most troubling result is that young adults using Ecstasy may be increasing their risk for developing Parkinsonism as they get older.”

Alan Leshner, a former director of the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, said: “This study emphasizes the multi-aspect damage that Ecstasy can do to users. We've long known that repeated use damages brain cells. This study shows that even very occasional use can have long-lasting effects on many different brain systems. It sends an important message to young people: don't experiment with your own brain.”

Janet Betts, the Essex mother whose daughter Leah died after a single Ecstasy tablet in 1995, said: “This comes as no surprise. People can't see the effects at first, and they’re in permanent denial(否认), saying it's not going to happen to them. But we'll see the symptoms later, just as we have with smoking.”

49. The advantage of installment buying might include all the following EXCEPT that 　　　　.

　　　 A. purchasing power is strengthened.

　　　 B. employment might be increased

　　　 C. people develop a good habit of saving money

　　　 D. young couples are able to furnish their homes

48. What will happen to a buyer if he fails to make the full payment for an item bought on installments?

　　　 A. He might lose his job.

　　　 B. He will stop owning the item he has bought.

　　　 C. He will have to sell what he has bought.

　　　 D. He will go into debt.

47. Goods bought on installments are more expensive than goods bought by cash because 　　　.

　　　 A. the buyer has to pay extra money as interest

　　　 B. the delivery of the goods charges extra money

　　　 C. the buyer has to pay a down payment

　　　 D. the service offered by installment plan charged extra money

46. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the installment plan?

　　　 A. A lot of British families use the installment plan.

　　　 B. More than 10 percent American families buy things on installments.

　　　 C. Americans depend more on installment than British people do.

　　　 D. Americans spend one tenth of their income on installment buying.

45. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

　 A. Ups and downs of The Washington Post.

　 B. Katharine Graham's family life and career.

　 C. Katharine Graham: from housewife to successful publisher.

　 D. Katharine Graham: a woman who shaped American journalism.

B

In Western countries people have been using the installment (分期付款) plan since the first half of the twentieth century. Today, a large number of families in Great Britain buy furniture, household goods and cars by installments. In the U.S.A., the figure is much higher than in Great Britain, and people there spend over 10 percent of their income on the installment plan.

The price of an article bought on installments is always higher than the price that would be paid by cash. There is a charge for interest. The buyer pays one quarter or one third of the price as a down payment (预付定金) when the goods are delivered to him. He then makes regular payments, weekly or monthly, until the full price is paid up. The legal ownership of the goods remains with the seller until the final payment has been made.

Installment buying has advantages and disadvantages. It can help couples with small incomes to furnish their homes and start housekeeping. It increases the demand for goods, and in this way helps business and employment. There is, however, the danger that when business is bad, installment buying may end suddenly, making business much worse. This may result in a great increase in unemployment. If the people on the installment plan lose their jobs, they will probably not be able to make their payments. If great numbers of people are not able to pay their installment debts, there is a possibility that businessmen cannot collect their debts and will therefore lose money. If businessmen lose money or fail to make a satisfactory profit, it becomes more likely to have a depression (萧条) . This is why, in some countries, the government controls the installment plan by fixing the amount of the down payment and installments to discourage people from buying more than they can pay for on the installment plan.

44. Which of the following statements is true?

A. It was Katharine Graham's husband who made the greatest contributions to the Post.

B. When Katharine Graham first took over the Post, her critics doubted her ability.

C. Katharine Graham was successful in her career but suffered severe depression.

D. Katharine Graham was free to do whatever she liked in her early life.

43. Which can be considered the most important event in the history of The Washington Post?

　 A. Reporting Watergate scandal.　　　 B. Printing the Pentagon Papers.

　 C. Reporting the Vietnam War.　　　 D. Phil restoring the Post.

42. When her husband was chosen to take charge of the newspaper, Katharine Graham ______.

　　　 A. was strongly against the idea　　　　　

B. was not happy to be rejected

　 C. was willing to take her share of responsibility

D. didn't believe her husband would do a good job