B

　　A good hiking trip should be planned out ahead of time. Whether it is a hike on a mountain trail (路线) or through the woods, an enjoyable hiking trip can easily turn into a dangerous situation if safety is not considered well. North Mountain State Park recommends hikers consider the following tips before hitting any trails:

　　Make a copy of your itinerary to give to a family member or a friend. Make sure that someone close to you knows where you are and how long you will be gone.

　　Wear a good pair of hiking boots or strong athletic shoes. The right shoes will keep you safe, warm, and comfortable.

　　Prepare for various types of weather conditions. Check the forecast before you leave; take along sunglasses and extra clothing (e.g., a hat and /or a jacket for a day hike).

　　Pack plenty of food and water. Consider how long your hike will be and pack accordingly.

　　Pack basic and essential supplies. Bring a first-aid kit (急救箱), a flashlight, a pocket knife, a map of the area (if available), and a compass. You may need other supplies, such as matches, depending on the length of your hike.

　　Determine what time the sun sets. This information is available in most local newspapers. Most people become lost after nightfall, so it is important to know this information in advance.

　　Stay on properly marked trails. Stay on established trails to decrease the chances of becoming lost. Staying on established trails also lowers the risk of doing harm to rare and endangered plants.

　　Carry a whistle. Using a loud whistle is a good way to call attention to your location if you get lost.

　　Keep an eye out for wildlife. Do not approach animals in the wild, even if they seem friendly.

　　The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) manages a diverse system of more than 120 parks. The 90-year-old park system, which receives nearly 48 million visits a year, ranks 4th nationally in day-use attendance, 10th in overnight attendance, and the WSPRC has a smaller budget than most states.

24. The underlined word "itinerary" in Paragraph 2 probably means ________.

　A. a goal B. an address C. a phone book D. a travel plan

25. According to the text, if hikers ignore what time the sun sets, they might________.

　A. have difficulty finding supplies B. need extra clothing

　C. be attacked by wild animals D. become lost

26. What can we learn about WSPRC?

　A. It's only accessible during summer months.

　B. It's operated very well.

　C. It provides trails and wildlife protection.

　D. It provides search and rescue services.

27. The purpose of the text is to _______.

　A. attract people's interest in the park

　B. explain the hiking routes

　C. explain how to be safe when hiking

　D. introduce various kinds of parks to visitors

　　　C

　　A Canadian study suggests that current sodium intake levels are relatively safe for most Americans and that reducing them to the very low levels recommended by federal health officials and leading medical groups may harm a significant number.

　　The current average sodium consumption in the United States is about 3,400 milligrams (there are 1,000 milligrams in one gram) per day. This is about the amount of sodium in about 1.5 teaspoons of salt. Dietary guidelines offered by the federal government and leading medical groups recommend reducing the average to 2,300 milligrams for the general population and 1,500 for groups considered at greater risk, like adults older than 50, African-Americans, and people with high blood pressure, among others.

　　However, previous studies have found little evidence to support those low recommended sodium targets. There is considerable evidence that lowering sodium can reduce blood pressure, but there is scant (少量的) evidence that reducing sodium consumption will necessarily reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes (中风) and death.

　　Now a large study by researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, which tracked more than 100,000 people from 17 countries on five continents, has found that the safest levels of sodium intake are between 3, 000 and 6,000 milligrams. Consumption below that level showed increased risk of death and cardiovascular (心血管的) events. Roughly 10 percent of the patients followed in the study fell below 3,000 milligrams, a sizable number to put at risk.

　　Brian Strom, honorary head of biomedical and health sciences at Rutgers University, who led a group of experts who reviewed the data on sodium for the Institute of Medicine last year, said that the new McMaster data are among the best available and that no study has shown a benefit from reducing sodium consumption to below 2,300 milligrams a day.

That does not mean individuals whose sodium intake is high should not take steps to bring it down. The McMaster researchers say that if your blood pressure rises beyond the normal level (140/90 or higher)