Scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C was a serious problem in the past when fresh fruits and vegetables were not available during the winter in many parts of the world.It was especially common among sailors in the days when only nonperishable(不易腐烂的)foods could be stored aboard ship.The symptoms of the disease include gradual weakening, pale skin, muscle pain, loss of teeth, internal bleeding, fainting and then lung and kidney trouble.Eventually, the sailor “went to Davy Jones's locker”(naval slang for dying).
More than half the crew of Vasco da Gama died from scurvy on his first trip(1497-1499)around the Cape of Good Hope.In 1747 the Scottish naval surgeon James Lind treated scurvy-ridden sailors with lemons and oranges and obtained dramatic cures.In 1795 the British navy began to distribute regular amount of lime juice during long sea voyages, a measure that was largely successful in preventing scurvy.
Scurvy was probably the first disease to be definitely associated with a dietary deficiency.Nowadays it is understood that a diet which contains nothing harmful may yet result in serious disease if certain important elements are missing.These elements are called “vitamins”.Quite a number of such substances are known and they are given letters to identify them, A,B,C,D, and so on.Different diseases are associated with deficiencies of particular vitamins.
The vitamins necessary for a healthy body are normally supplied by a good mixed diet, including a variety of fruits and green vegetables.It is only when people try to live on a very restricted diet, saying during extended periods of religious fasting(斋戒), or when trying to lose weight, that it is necessary to make special provision to supply the missing vitamins.
(1)
Which of the following sentence can express the main idea of the passage?
[ ]
A.
Deficiencies of Vitamin C may cause serious disease.
B.
Fresh fruit and green vegetable contain enough nutrition that is necessary for a healthy body.
C.
Vitamins play an important role in people's health.
D.
A good mixed diet normally supplies sufficient vitamins for us.
(2)
To avoid vitamin-lacking disease like scurvy, it's better for us ________.
[ ]
A.
not to eat much salted meat
B.
to have more fresh fruits and vegetables
C.
to supplement our diet with various vitamin pills
D.
to develop a good dietary habit
(3)
The information in the passage would most likely be of interest to a student of ________.
[ ]
A.
engineering
B.
nutrition
C.
psychology
D.
farming
(4)
Which of the following best describes the author's tone?
[ ]
A.
Argumentative
B.
Negative
C.
Curious
D.
Neutral
(5)
The underlined word “deficiency” probably means ________.