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| MS, multiple sclerosis (多发性硬化症), is not easy to say.Those who suffer from the disease may also have difficulty naming it.One sign of multiple sclerosis is losing the ability to speak clearly.It is estimated that more than 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from multiple sclerosis. MS is a disease of the brain and spinal cord (脊髓). In patients with MS, the covering of the nerves is destroyed.This temporarily blocks signals that pass through the nerves to the muscles of the body and back to the brain.The disease especially affects the ability to see, the sense of touch and the use of the arms and legs.Most forms of MS are described as progressive.This means that the disease gets worse as time passes. For years, doctors believed that the cause of multiple sclerosis was environment.They believed this because most of those suffering from the disease lived in northern Europe and the northern half of the United States.In recent years, however, doctors have changed their beliefs about the causes of MS. Recent studies support the theory that there are several causes.The studies appear to show that genetic problems might be involved in making people likely to get the disease.The studies show that environmental causes like viruses or bacteria are more involved.However, researchers have not identified just what those causes might be.Another likely cause is a problem within the body's defences against diseases, when the defences misunderstand signals and attack the body. Recently, an American study shows that women who get plenty of vitamin D during pregnancy(怀 孕) may be protecting their babies from developing MS later in life.Their body produces the vitamin after contact between the skin and sunlight. Scientists say multiple sclerosis does not appear to be passed from parents to children.Yet it does appear to be found in families.The National Multiple Sclerosis Society says one in every 750 Americans is at risk of developing MS.But the risk rises to one in every 40 people among those who have a close family member with the disease. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis.MS does not always result in severe disability.Many patients are able to live a normal life.The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says some patients do well with no treatment at all.It notes that many medicines to treat the disease have serious side effects while some carry risks. 1. Which of the following is the sign of MS? A. The patient can't name the disease. B. The patient is short of vitamin D. C. The patient hasn't good sense of touch. D. The patient can't speak properly. 2. According to the passage, a person is likely to get the disease MS mainly because________. A. he lives in northern Europe B. his defences fight against a disease C. the covering of his muscles is destroyed D. he has been infected with viruses or bacteria 3. What can be learnt from the passage? A. Vitamin D is a way to cure the disease MS. B. There are effective medicines to cure the disease MS. C. The disease MS must be passed among close family members. D. The disease MS doesn't have seriously bad effects on many patients. 4. What could be the best title of the passage? A. MS, a newlyfound disease B. MS, a troublesome disease C. MS, a mysterious disease D. MS, a deadly disease |