英語(yǔ)四級(jí)閱讀模擬實(shí)戰(zhàn) 47

47

The multi-billion-dollar Western pop music industry is under fire. It is being blamed by the United Nations for the dramatic rise in drug abuse worldwide. "The most worrisome development is a culture of drug-friendliness that seems to be gaining prominence（顯著）," said the UN's 13-member International Narcotics Control Board in a report released in late February 1998.

The 74-page study says that pop music, as a global industry, is by far the most influential trend-setter for young people of most cultures. "Some lyrics advocate the smoking of marijuana（大麻）or taking other drugs, and certain pop stars make statements and set examples as if the use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes were a normal and acceptable part of a person's life-style," the study says.

Surprisingly, says the Board, the effect of drug-friendly pop music seems to survive despite the occasional shock of death by overdose（過(guò)量用藥）. "Such incidents tend to be seen as an occasion to mourn the loss of a role model, and not an opportunity to confront the deadly effect of 'recreational' drug use," it notes. Since the 1970s, several internationally famous singers and movie stars—including Elvis Presley, Janice Joplin, John Belushi, Jimi Hendrix, Jonathan Melvin and Andy Gibbs—have died of either drug abuse or drug related illnesses. With the globalization of popular music, messages tolerating or promoting drug abuse are now reaching beyond their countries of origin. "In most countries, the names of certain pop stars have become familiar to the members of every household," the study says.

The UN study also blames the media for its description of certain drug issues—especially the use of marijuana and issues of liberalization and legalization—which encourages, rather than prevents, drug abuse. "Over the last years, we have seen how drug abuse is increasingly regarded as being acceptable or even attractive," says Hamid Ghodse, president of the Board. "Powerful pressure groups run political campaigns aimed at legalizing controlled drugs," he says. Ghodse also points out that all these developments have created an environment which is tolerant of or even favorable to drug abuse and spoils international drug prevention efforts currently underway.

The present study, he says, focuses on the issue of demand reduction and prevention within an environment that has become tolerant of drug abuse. The Board calls on governments to do their legal and moral duties, and to act against the pro-drug messages of the youth culture to which young people increasingly are being exposed.

1.Which of the following statements does the author tend to agree with?

A.The use of drugs for non-medicinal purposes is an acceptable part of a person's life-style.

B.The spreading of pop music may cause the drug abuse to go beyond country, boundaries.

C.No efforts have been made to prevent the spreading of drug abuse.

D.The governments have no ability to act against the pro-drug messages of the youth culture.

2.The italicized phrase "under fire" (Line 1, Para. 1) means______.

A.in an urgent situation　　B.facing some problems

C.being criticized　　　　D.quite popular

3.Under the influence of drug-friendly pop music, what might the youth think of the death of some pop stars caused by overdose?

A.They tend to mourn the pop stars as role models.

B.They are shocked to know even pop stars may abuse drugs.

C.They try to confront the deadly effect of "recreational" drug use.

D.They may stop abusing the drugs.

4.Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a factor that has contributed to creating an environment tolerant of or even favorable to drug abuse?

A.The spreading of pop music.

B.The media.

C.Political campaigns run by powerful pressure groups.

D.The low price of some drugs.

5.The pop music______.

A.has a great influence on young people of most cultures

B.only appeals to a small number of young people

C.is not a profitable industry

D.is the only culprit（罪魁禍?zhǔn)祝﹔esponsible for drug amuse