Question

阅读与回答问題。

As the global pandemic（流行病） speeds up, many are wondering about the effectiveness of masks and when it’s proper to wear them. Most people from the East believe that wearing a mask is important to control the spread of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP新冠肺炎). But people in the West generally would argue that, unless one is already ill, wearing a mask is unnecessary.

In Eastern countries like China, mask-wearing has a long history in their cultures. In fact, people in the East wear masks not just to protect themselves from illness but also for a variety of other reasons.

In many Asian countries, masks are worn in many situations in daily life, such as doing housework or visiting patients in the hospital. They can give people the comfort of being protected.

In recent years, they are worn simply for beauty. Young people in Japan, for example, wear masks as a fashion statement, expressing their personal style through unique designs and patterns.

In Asia, wearing a face mask is also an expression of group-oriented values（集体主义）.

Wearing a mask, one becomes part of a giant group. “People communicated their responsibilities to the social group of which they were members,” wrote Peter Baehr, a research professor in social theory at Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

In Western countries, however, individual values are the most important.

As a citizen, it is one’s duty to prevent the spread of illness in following ways, such as washing one’s hands and limiting one’s contact with others. A face mask is kept only for those showing symptoms（症状） of illness.

Whether from the East or the West, social culture has played an important role in one’s decision about whether or not to wear a mask. That’s because human beings are social creatures who consider much about what other members of society think of us. The most important thing is to respect others’ opinions, no matter how different they are.

1.For most people from the East, what is of great importance to control the spread of NCP ?

2.What can masks give people in many Asian countries?

3.Why do young people in Japan wear masks?

4.Who is a face mask kept only for in Western countries?

5.If you are a citizen in Western countries, how can you prevent the spread of illness?

Answer 1