TEXT C The symptoms of
Alzheimer’s disease were long dismissed as normal con sequences of human aging,
but in the 1980’s the disease came to be recognized as the most common cause of
intellectual deterioration in the elderly and middle-aged. It is characterized
by the death of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex--the part of the brain
involved in complex functions. The major debilitating symptoms
of Alzheimer’s disease include serious forgetfulness--particularly about recent
events--and confusion, At first, the individual experiences only minor and
almost imperceptible symptoms that are often attributed to emotional upsets or
other physical illnesses. Gradually, however, the person becomes more forgetful,
and this may be reported by anxious relatives. The person may neglect to turn
off the oven, may misplace things, may recheck to see if a task was done, may
take longer to complete a chore that was previously routine, or may repeat
already-answered questions. As the disease progresses, memory loss and such
changes in personality, mood, and behavior, such as confusion, irritability,
restlessness and agitation, are likely to appear. Judgment, concentration,
orientation, writing, reading, speech, motor behavior and naming of objects may
also be affected. Even when a loving and caring family is available to give
support, the victim of Alzheimer’s disease is more likely to spent his or her
last days in a nursing home or long-term care institution. At this time, there
is no cure. This passage implies that victims of Alzheimer’s disease may ______.
A.not remember childhood events B.suffer a gradual worsening of cognitive functions C.incur personality and behavioral changes D.spend their last days in a long-term care institution