Question

Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows.

Smoking is dangerous. The nitrogen dioxide in the smoke of a cigarette can produce a solution of acid capable of burning holes in a nylon stocking. And this gas is the agent in cigarette smoke that scientists think may cause emphysema, in which whole clusters of alveoli are gradually destroyed. Only the recovery period between each cigarette and the remarkable mechanism of the lungs and the body enzymes in detoxifying and eliminating poisonous substances show its destructiveness. But Dr. Hurst Hatch flatly declares that anyone who regularly smokes two packets a day will eventually develop emphysema; may die of it if smoking continues.
In prolonged, excessive smoking, the cilia are eventually destroyed. Deposits of tars and volatile condensates in cigarette smoke can then accumulate on the unprotected bronchial surfaces, directly attacking the naked cells. When these cells develop damaged nuclei and become disordered, the result is the first stage of lung cancer.

The writer's opinion about smoking is ______.

• A. that it is relatively harmless.
• B. that it causes instant and severe damage.
• C. that it inevitably causes cancer.
• D. that it tends to be destructive.

Answer 1

The correct option is D that it tends to be destructive.

Throughout the passage, the author describes the harmful effects of smoking. The author talks about how smoking can cause emphysema and lung cancer. He also explains how smoking can result in these two dangerous conditions. Hence, D is the correct answer.

The author says regular smoking can lead to cancer and emphysema. So, C is incorrect.

According to the passage, there are no instant damages caused by smoking. Thus, we cannot accept B.

We reject A.