In many societies, there is often greater acceptance of light skin than dark ski

In many societies,there is often greater acceptance of light skin than dark skin. Light skin maybe seen as a mark of beauty, intelligence and success. These beliefs can leadto social pressure even within the same racial or ethnic group, if some membersare darker skinned than others.

   Theresult is that skin lightening has become a common activity across Africa, Asiaand other areas of the world. More and more people with dark skin are usingskin-lightening products, even if they may face health risks.

   Theybelieve that having whiter skin will improve their lives. Many people thinkthey will have a better chance of getting a job or marrying into a betterfamily. Or they want to look like what their society generally considersbeautiful.

   Somebeauty care products and soaps contain chemicals that make skin lighter. Thisprocess is also called bleaching. But some of the chemicals areextremely dangerous. One of the chemicals has been linked to kidney (肾) damage and some kinds of cancer. Italso causes low birth weight in babies when mothers use it during pregnancy.

   At first,bleaching products make the skin color lighter. But after long-term use theycan cause problems. They can even make some skin darker. The chemicals in theproducts block and break down the natural process that gives color to skin. Theskin loses its natural barrier to protect against sunlight. Then the skin canbecome thick and discolored. Usually the person will use more of the product inan effort to correct the problem, but this only makes it worse.

   FatimataLy treats skin conditions in the Senegalese capital，Dakar. Doctor Ly says skin bleaching hasbecome a problem throughout Senegal. She says the chemicals are now moredangerous because they are stronger. Some cases have resulted in blackenedfingernails, infections and permanent skin damage.

   Andthese are not the only risks. Experts say some people who change their skincolor suffer emotional damage. They feel regret and sadness. They feel thatinstead of risking their health, they should have learned to love and accepttheir skin color as it was.

1.Which of thefollowing words can replace the underlined word “bleaching”?

A.whitening        B.changing       C.lighting        D. pleasing

2.Why has the skinlightening become a common activity all over the world?

A. Thereare many products that can make the dark skin light.

B. Manypeople with dark skin have no confidence.

C.Relatively speaking, light skin has more advantages over dark skin.

D. Peoplewith dark skin are forced by the pressure of their families.

3.According to the text the following are the risks using thebleaching products EXCEPT________.

  A. blackenedfingernails              B. permanent skin damage

  C. emotionaldamage                 D. a waste of time and money

4. From the text we can conclude the writer’s attitude towardusing the bleaching products is probably ________.

A.supportive        B.positive       C.doubtful       D. negative 

试题答案

【答案】

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.D

【解析】略