A. FRIENDLY B. TEAM C. LINKED D. SOCIAL II.READING (3.5PTS) PART A

10. A. friendly B. team C. linked D. social II.READING (3.5PTS) PART A: READ THE PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS (1.0 PT) Herbs are different kinds of plants and plant parts that can be used for medicinal purposes. This can include the leaves, stems, roots, or seeds of the plant. Herbs have been important in traditional medicine for centuries, in both the East and the West. In Western medicine, they have largely been replaced by drugs. Herbal treatments are, however, still an integral part of Eastern medicine. In recent years, interest in traditional medicine has increased in the West. Many people are either using modern methods combined with traditional treatments or are turning to these treatments entirely. While traditional medicines can be helpful, they are not without its share of problems. The main difference between herbs and drugs is that, while herbs are simply parts of plants, drugs are specific chemicals in a pure form. Many modern drugs are derived from chemicals found in plants. One exampie is aspirin, which is made from a chemical extracted from the bark of the willow tree. Other drugs are entirely synthetic. Even those drugs that are derived from natural sources are heavily processed in order to purify and concentrate them. This allows drugs to be administered in very precise amounts. Different kinds and degrees of illnesses often require dosages that differ only slightly. A little too much or not enough of a certain drug can have negative effects on the patient. Many drugs also produce negative effects even when taken in the recommended dosage. These undesired negative effects are called "side-effects". The possibility of dangerous and unexpected side-effects from drugs has led many people back to traditional medicine. Herbel treatments seem more natural than modern drugs. Many feel that traditional medicine is more concerned with treating the underlying causes of disease instead of just the symptoms, though the truth of this daim is not yet dear. In any case, there is a certain comfort in taking natural herbal treatments instead of the processed, synthetic chemicals derived from them. There are, however, disadvantages to herbal treatments, some of them serious. Few herbal treatments have been scientifically studied. While the active chemicals in the herb may be known, it may not be clear what they really do, or if they are really effective at all. Because the active chemicals are not used alone, it is very difficult to determine the proper amount for treatment, since the levels of the chemical are not constant throughout the plant. Therefore, the risk of under- and over-dose is higher than with drugs. A problem is that certain herbal treatments may have no real medicinal effect, thus giving the patient a false sense of security. This is particularly harmful when the patient refuses treatment with modern drugs that could be effective. There are even certain herbs that can cause side-effects, just like a drug. One of these is ma-huang also-called ephedra which is taken to increase energy. It has been known to cause damage to the heart and nervous system. Garlic and ginger are common elements in food that are also taken as herbal treatments, but they can be dangerous for people with diabetes. In general, herbs are dangerous when they are taken along with common drugs. This may happen in two ways: a patient decides to supplement his or her regular treatment with herbs, or a dishonest manufacturer adds modern drugs to a herbal treatment. In both cases, the results can be very serious. Herbs can be used to treat depression, but if they are used along with conventional antidepressants, the combination can cause confusion, headaches, allergic reactions, and other problems. Finally. because production of herbal treatments is seldom regulated, harmful substances can be present in herbal preparation. Herbs grown in polluted soil may contain lead, arsenic, or mercury. They may also be tainted with pesticides. It is for this reason that herbs should not be treated as the perfect substitute for drugs. Although herbs appear to be quite distinct from modern drugs, it is important to use them with the same sort of care.