23、Hints on safety

Nearly everyone is attracted to water, whether it be the sea, canals, rivers or the village pond. Beautiful as it is, water should be regarded with respect as it can be dangerous. Around 300 children up to the age of ten die each year from drowning. It should be every parent’s responsibility to ensure that both he and the children swim safely and that as the child gets older, he has some knowledge of life-saving and artificial respiration（人工呼吸）.

The basic rules of water safety are:

－don’t leave small children playing alone in water

－never swim an hour before or an hour after a main meal

－if it’s a danger area, find out before you start swimming where the lifeguard is or where a life-belt is available

－as children get older, try to teach them to remain calm in an emergency

－look out for warning signs to see whether you’re in a danger area (see under this). Be especially careful of inland stretches of water-pools, reservoirs（水庫）and dykes（溝）where there are often fewer people about than at the seaside.

1．What does the writer of this article feel about water?

    A．Everyone is attracted to the water in the village pond.

    B．It is attractive but dangerous.

    C．It is beautiful and respected by everybody.

    D．The sea, the canals and the rivers affect the weather.

2．We can infer from the passage that the word “hints” used in the title means “______”

    A．Useful advice                    B．Expert experiences  

    C．Public comments                  D．First aid suggestions

3．What does the writer think parents should make sure their children know?

    A．How to be able to save his or her own life.

    B．How to get knowledge of artificial respiration.

    C．How to swim and breathe under water.

    D．How to swim safely and how to save other people’s lives if they get into trouble in the water.

4．What is the meaning of the sign below mean?

    A．Do not use a surfboard here.    

B．Lifeguards patrol this area.

C．This area is not for ordinary swimming.           

D．Dangerous animals around.