Directions: The passages in this section are meant to be read through quickly. Try to finish them within 9 minutes. Don’t preview.

Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following passage.

In 1986, more than 3 million persons were injured and 20 500 persons died in the United States as a result of accidents that occurred in the home. Home should be the safest place of all, but carelessness makes it one of the most dangerous. Accidents can happen when people use tables and chairs as ladders, misuse kitchen appliances, and leave objects on stairways that others can trip over. Common hazards such as these cause the greatest number of accidents in the home.
Falls are the largest single cause of home accidents. Strong window screens and gates at the top of stairs will protect small children against falls from windows and down stairs. Every staircase should have a strong handrail and should be well lighted. Small rugs on polished floors should have a rubber backing or be fastened down to keep them from sliding. A rubber mat and a hand grip will help prevent slipping in the bathtub. Many kitchen falls can be prevented by wiping up spilled water and grease.

1. How many people died in the USA as a result of home accidents in 1986?
A. About three million.
B. Over two million.
C. About twenty thousand.
2. What may cause an accident in the home?
A. A rubber mat.
B. A small rug on the polished floor.
C. A well-IR staircase.
3. Which of the following is the largest single cause of home accidents?
A. Burns.
B. Falls.
C. Fires.

Questions 4 and 5 are based on the following passage.

The most difficult thing to learn about first aid is what not to do. When a patient is knocked down in the road, people instinctly seem to want to drag him immediately to his feet, or pull him on to the pavement away from the traffic. Someone will enter the nearest shop and come back with a chair so that the victim can sit down. Before long a hot strong sweet cup of tea arrives, and this or some other beverage is poured into him. All this is instinctive, and all of it is wrong. Do not move the patient until you are sure he has no fracture which will be made worse by movement. To take an extreme case, a fractured spine clumsily moved may result in permanent widespread paralysis. Guard your patient from the traffic but only move him when you are certain it is safe to do so. If he has any injury which is likely to require a general anesthetic on arrival in hospital do not give anything at all by mouth. No anesthetic can be given to a patient who has eaten or drunk anything in the previous three hours, in case he vomits while unconscious and dies of obstruction of his airway.

4. When a patient is knocked down in the road, people should           .
A. help him stand up
B. drag him on to the pavement
C. give him a cup of coffee to drink
D. not move the patient until you are sure he has no fracture
5. No anesthetic can be given to a patient who has eaten or drunk anything in the previous         hours.
A. three
B. six
C. twelve
D. twenty-four

Questions 6 to 8 are based on the following passage.

Many incidents in the household could lead to fire disasters, but you could protect your home against fire by following these tips:
1. Don't plug too many appliances into one outlet. Does the device have a strange smell when you use it ? If so, unplug it and get it repaired or replaced.
2. Never leave cooking unattended. The cooking areas should be clear of things that might catch fire. If a grease fire breaks out in a pan, cover the flames with the lid. Turn off 'the stove, the gas supply and other appliances when cooking is done.
3. Keep matches and lighters away from children. Put these items out of children's reach. Teach children that matches and lighters are not toys.
4. Install fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers allow you to fight small fires. Regularly check your equipment to make sure it will work when needed.
5. Plan and practice escape routes. Map two ways out of every room. Practice the escape plan with your family. If windows are part of the plan, make sure they can open easily. Clear the stairs of objects that might get in your way.
In case of fire, get everyone out of the house first. Then call the fire department. In an apartment fire, take the stairs, not the elevator. If you have to go through smoke-filled areas, crawl on your hands and knees. Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth, if possible. If your clothes catch fire, drop to the ground and roll to put the flames out. Once everyone is out the house, no one should go back in.

6. What should you do when a plugged-in appliance has a strange smell?
A. Plug it into another outlet.
B. Replace the outlet.
C. Unplug it and get it repaired.
7. Fire extinguishers are useful for fighting        fires.
A. big
B. small
C. any
8. Which of the following is not correct when you try to escape an apartment fire?
A. Take an elevator.
B. Crawl on your hands and knees.
C. Cover your nose with a wet towel.

Key: 1.T 2.F 3.F 4.T 5.B 6.B 7.C 8.C 9.T 10.F 11.F

Topics for Discussion and Reflection
①Have you ever learnt anything about first-aid before?
②Do you think it is important and necessary for everyone to acquaint himself with first-aid roles and procedures in a society so advanced in medicine?