单选题 Americans this year will swallow 15 000 tons of aspirin, one of the safest and most effective drags invented by man. As the most popular medicine in the world today, it is an effective pain reliever. Its bad effects are relatively mild, and it is cheap.
For millions of people suffering from arthritis, it is the only thing that works. Aspirin, in short, is truly the 20th century wonder drug. It is also the second largest suicide drug and is the leading cause of poisoning among children. It has side effects that, although relatively mild, are largely unrecognized among users.
Although aspirin was first sold by a German company in 1899, it has been around much longer than that. Hippocrates, in ancient Greece, understood the medical value of the leaves and tree bark which today are known to contain salicylates, the chemical in aspirin. During the 19th century, there was a great deal of experimentation in Europe with this chemical, and it led, to the introduction of aspirin. By 1915, aspirin tablets were available in the United States.
A small quantity of aspirin (two five-grain tablets) relieves pain and intimation. It also reduces fever by interfering with 'some of the body' s reactions. Specifically, aspirin seems to slow down the formation of the acids involved in pain and the complex chemical reactions that cause fever. The chemistry of these acids is not fully under stood, but the slowing effect of aspirin is well-known.
A small is very irritating to the stomach lining, and many aspirin takers complain about upset stomach. There is a right way and a wrong way to take aspirin. The best way is to chew the tablets before swallowing them with water, but few people can stand the bitter taste. Some people suggest crushing the tablets in milk or orange juice and drinking that.

单选题 In which year was aspirin first sold?
A. This year. B. 1899.
C. 1915. D. The 19th century.

单选题 What does this passage mainly discuss?
A. The effectiveness and safety of aspirin.
B. The functions of aspirin.
C. The development and the effectiveness and side effects of aspirin.
D. The 20th century wonder drug -- aspirin.

单选题 What does" that", the last word in the last paragraph refer to?
A. Aspirin crashed in milk or orange juice.
B. Milk.
C. Water.
D. Aspirin.

单选题 According to the passage, which of the following is true?
A. Aspirin is the largest suicide drug.
B. The side effects of aspirin are largely recognized by its users.
C. The best way to take aspirin is to chew the tablets before swallowing them with water.
D. Aspirin was available in the United States during the 19th century.