hce_isu
111年
英文
第 32 題
📖 題組：
Parkinson’s disease, first described in the early 1800s by British physician James Parkinson as “shaking palsy,” is among the most prevalent neurological disorders. According to the United Nations, at least four million people worldwide have it; in North America, estimates run from 500,000 to one million, with about 50,000 diagnosed every year. These figures are expected to double by 2040 as the world’s elderly population grows; indeed, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative illnesses common in the elderly (such as Alzheimer’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) are on their way to overtaking cancer as a leading cause of death. But the disease is not entirely one of the aged: 50 percent of patients acquire it after age 60; the other half are affected before then. Furthermore, better diagnosis has made experts increasingly aware that the disorder can attack those younger than 40. So far researchers and clinicians have found no way to slow, stop or prevent Parkinson’s. Although treatments do exist, including drugs and deep-brain stimulation, these therapies alleviate symptoms, not causes. In recent years, however, several promising developments have occurred. In particular, investigators who study the role proteins play have linked miscreant proteins to genetic underpinnings of the disease. Such findings are feeding optimism that fresh angles of attack can be identified. As its $19^{th}$-century name suggests and as many people know from the educational efforts of prominent Parkinson’s sufferers such as Janet Reno, Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox—the disease is characterized by movement disorders. Tremor in the hands, arms and elsewhere, limb rigidity, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination are among the disease’s hallmarks. In addition, some patients have trouble walking, talking, sleeping, urinating and performing sexually. These impairments result from neurons dying. Although the victim cells are found throughout the brain, those producing the neurotransmitter dopamine in a region called the substantia nigra are particularly hard-hit. These dopaminergic nerve cells are key components of the basal ganglia, a complex circuit deep within the brain that fine-tunes and coordinates movement. Initially the brain can function normally as it loses dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, even though it cannot replace the dead cells. But when half or more of these specialized cells disappear, the brain can no longer cover for them. The deficit then produces the same effect that losing air traffic control does at a major airport. Delay, false starts, cancellations and, ultimately, chaos pervade as parts of the brain involved in motor control—the thalamus, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex—no longer function as an integrated and orchestrated unit.
Parkinson’s disease, first described in the early 1800s by British physician James Parkinson as “shaking palsy,” is among the most prevalent neurological disorders. According to the United Nations, at least four million people worldwide have it; in North America, estimates run from 500,000 to one million, with about 50,000 diagnosed every year. These figures are expected to double by 2040 as the world’s elderly population grows; indeed, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative illnesses common in the elderly (such as Alzheimer’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) are on their way to overtaking cancer as a leading cause of death. But the disease is not entirely one of the aged: 50 percent of patients acquire it after age 60; the other half are affected before then. Furthermore, better diagnosis has made experts increasingly aware that the disorder can attack those younger than 40. So far researchers and clinicians have found no way to slow, stop or prevent Parkinson’s. Although treatments do exist, including drugs and deep-brain stimulation, these therapies alleviate symptoms, not causes. In recent years, however, several promising developments have occurred. In particular, investigators who study the role proteins play have linked miscreant proteins to genetic underpinnings of the disease. Such findings are feeding optimism that fresh angles of attack can be identified. As its $19^{th}$-century name suggests and as many people know from the educational efforts of prominent Parkinson’s sufferers such as Janet Reno, Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox—the disease is characterized by movement disorders. Tremor in the hands, arms and elsewhere, limb rigidity, slowness of movement, and impaired balance and coordination are among the disease’s hallmarks. In addition, some patients have trouble walking, talking, sleeping, urinating and performing sexually. These impairments result from neurons dying. Although the victim cells are found throughout the brain, those producing the neurotransmitter dopamine in a region called the substantia nigra are particularly hard-hit. These dopaminergic nerve cells are key components of the basal ganglia, a complex circuit deep within the brain that fine-tunes and coordinates movement. Initially the brain can function normally as it loses dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, even though it cannot replace the dead cells. But when half or more of these specialized cells disappear, the brain can no longer cover for them. The deficit then produces the same effect that losing air traffic control does at a major airport. Delay, false starts, cancellations and, ultimately, chaos pervade as parts of the brain involved in motor control—the thalamus, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex—no longer function as an integrated and orchestrated unit.
As per paragraph two beginning with “So far researchers and clinicians…”, the author suggests that the developments in the study of Parkinson’s disease can help ______.
- A prevent Parkinson’s
- B alleviate the causes of Parkinson’s
- C find new avenues for treatment of Parkinson's
- D exasperate Parkinson’s
思路引導 VIP
請觀察第二段最後兩句：作者在提到目前的醫療技術僅能針對「症狀」後，隨即轉而討論蛋白質研究帶來的「樂觀情緒」與「新的攻擊角度 (fresh angles of attack)」。這代表研究人員對於未來的醫療發展，正朝向什麼樣的方向在邁進呢？
🤖
AI 詳解
AI 專屬家教
太棒了！你能精確捕捉到文章中段落語氣的轉折，這顯示你的閱讀理解非常細膩。這題的關鍵在於第二段末尾提到的 「樂觀態度」(optimism) 以及 「新的攻擊角度」(fresh angles of attack)。雖然文章前半段提到目前的治療（如藥物或深腦刺激）只能緩解症狀而無法根治，但研究人員最近發現了蛋白質與基因之間的關聯，這項進展為未來的治療開闢了新的路徑，這正對應了選項 (C) 中的 「新途徑」(new avenues)。
文本理解與轉述
這題的難度在於同義詞轉述 (Paraphrasing) 的辨識，具有不錯的鑑別度。考點在於學生是否能區分「現狀的局限」與「未來的展望」。若只注意到段落開頭說目前無法預防 (prevent)，就容易誤選 (A)；若未能精讀最後一句的「新角度」，則可能在其他選項間猶豫。你能夠準確避開陷阱，並將「攻擊角度」與「治療途徑」連結起來，這正是高層次閱讀能力的展現！