A
(2020·陕西省百校联盟TOP20联考)Scientists from around the world examined whether supplements marketed are good for brain health, particularly in those aged over 50. Despite the claims of some supplements that they could improve cognitive (认知的) skills, no clear evidence was found to back this up.
The report said, “For the handful that have been researched, several welldesigned studies of supplements for brain health found no benefit in people with normal nutrient levels. It's unclear whether people who lack nutrition can benefit their brains by taking a supplement. The pills failed to protect against dementia (痴呆) and did not slow the process or improve the symptoms of the disease and the report said that a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables, being physically active and getting sufficient sleep were linked to better brain function.”
The value of the food supplement market in Britain is expected to reach more than ￡1 billion by 2012 and supplements sold on the high street for brain performance cost up to ￡26 for 60 pills. And Caroline Abrahams, the charity director at Age UK said that people were better off spending money to improve diets.
The report did find evidence suggesting that supplements could benefit people diagnosed with lacking vitamin. It added that these should only be taken if advised by a doctor because some supplements could interact with medicines or contain high levels of nutrients, which could be deadly. Supplements were not strictly controlled in the way that medicines were and may not contain highquality ingredients or what was on the label, the report said.
The Health Food Manufacturers' Association, which represents the British supplement industry, said that the report was based on the American market. In Britain products could only make claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority, such as the zinc (锌) contributed to normal cognitive functions, a spokesman said.
篇章导读：本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了科学家们发现补充剂并不能增强大脑健康和对抗痴呆症，同时给出了相应的建议。
1．What is the finding of the scientists about the supplements?
A．They bring about no positive effect.
B．They break the balance of normal life.
C．They get people to get addicted to them.
D．They are hardly suitable for the younger.
答案：A 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“no clear evidence was found to back this up”和第二段中的“found no benefit in people with normal nutrient levels ... The pills failed to protect against dementia (痴呆) and did not slow ...”可知补充剂没有什么积极的效果，故选A项。
2．The author uses the third paragraph to show people should________.
A．be aware of their needs clearly
B．change their daily diets regularly
C．take control of the market strictly
D．make use of their money properly
答案：D 推理判断题。根据这一段中列出的英国食品补充剂市场的高价值、补充剂高价格以及最后引用Caroline Abrahams的话“better off spending money to improve diets”可知，作者借此说明要合理使用金钱，故选D项。
3．What should people do if they do need to take supplements?
A．Follow professional suggestions.
B．Be sure of the vitamins they lack.
C．Refer to the instructions of the labels.
D．Avoid taking together with other medicines.
答案：A 细节理解题。根据第四段中的“It added that these should only be taken if advised by a doctor”可知只有在医生的建议下才应该服用它们，听取专业的建议，故选A项。
4．What do the British authorities think of the report?
A．Annoying. B．Unacceptable.
C．Worrying. D．Favorable.
答案：B 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的内容可知，这份报告是基于美国市场而不是英国。而在英国，产品只能通过欧洲食品安全认证，由此推断可知，这份报告不被英国官方认可，故选B项。
