Question

【题目】【原创】Children whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of phthalates(酞酸盐), common chemicals in consumer products, in late pregnancy tend to score lower than other kids on intelligence tests at age seven, according to a new study.

Some soaps, nail polish, hairspray, shower curtains, raincoats, car interiors and dryer sheets contain phthalates, which are used as so-called plasticizers, or softening agents.

At present, the Food and Drug Administration does not have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk, but six types of phthalates are currently banned from children’s toys.

Researchers followed 328 New York women in low-income communities from pregnancy until the child was seven years old. When the children were seven, they completed an intelligence test measuring four areas of mental functioning. The mothers’ levels of two of the phthalates - DnBP and DiBP - during pregnancy were associated with childhood intelligence: As phthalate levels went up, child IQ tended to go down.

“With observational studies, there is always the chance that the results may be in part explained by an unmeasured factor that we haven’t yet considered,” said Stephanie Engel, associate professor of epidemiology（流行病）from the University of North Carolina.

“I would characterize this study as thorough and high quality, and the results concerning,” said Engel, who was not involved in the work. “But there needs to be more research in this area before firm conclusions can be drawn.”

“Nevertheless, It is clear that there needs to be a serious discussion in the scientific and policy communities about whether the evidence is strong enough yet to warrant widespread policy changes, not just on the basis of this study, but also including a range of childhood health outcomes that have already been reported in the literature,” Engel said.

“Although there are no regulations on phthalate exposure during pregnancy, it would be wise for expectant mothers to avoid microwaving food in plastic, avoid scented products, and as much as possible store foods in glass instead of plastic,” she said.

【1】According to the passage, the new study is about ___________________________.

A. the interaction between a pregnant woman and her unborn baby

B. how phthalates taken in by a pregnant woman affect her baby

C. why children’s IQ is different at the age of seven

D. the usage of common chemical in consumer products

【2】Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Researchers chose 328 pregnant women at random to do the research

B. The FDA doesn’t think phthalates have any risks

C. There are two types of phthalates that may affect childhood intelligence

D. The researchers are very confident about their conclusions

【3】What can you learn from the last but one paragraph?

A. The evidence is not strong enough to change the policy

B. The policy should be stricter

C. A serious discussion is needed based on this study

D. All studies about childhood health should be involved

【4】This passage has probably been taken from _________.

A. a children’s book

B. a science report

C. a nutrition guidebook

D. a health notice board

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】C

【3】D

【4】B

【解析】

试题分析： 研究发现，孕妇在怀孕后期接触化学物质酞酸盐会影响孩子的智力发育。酞酸盐主要存在于油脂类肥皂、指甲油、啫喱水、浴帘和雨衣等消费品中。

【1】B 细节理解题。根据第一段的Children whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of phthalates(酞酸盐), tend to score lower than other kids on intelligence tests at age seven,可知，选择B。

【2】C 细节理解题。根据第四段的Researchers followed 328 New York women in low-income communities可知选项A错误；根据第三段内容可知，FDA没有证据证明化妆品中使用的酞酸盐存在危险，故选项B错；根据第六段的But there needs to be more research in this area before firm conclusions can be drawn.”可知选项D错。根据第四段的The mothers’ levels of two of the phthalates - DnBP and DiBP - during pregnancy were associated with childhood intelligence可知选项C正确。

【3】D 推理判断题。根据not just on the basis of this study, but also including a range of childhood health outcomes that have already been reported in the literature,可知选择D，意为所有关于儿童健康的研究都应该包含进去。

【4】B 文章出处题。本文讲了关于孕妇接触酞酸盐会对胎儿智力发育有影响的研究，故最有可能出自一篇科学报道，故选择B。