What are coronaviruses？ Coronaviruses were discovered in the 1960s． They are a group of viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds．In humans，coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections．

    The new coronavirus．At the end of 2019，a new type of coronavirus started spreading in China．This type of coronavirus is often called 2019﹣nCoV， novel coronavirus，or COVID﹣19． It is believed that the virus was transmitted from animals to humans．Some of the first cases were diagnosed in people who had visited a market selling live seafood and animals．Unfortunately，when viruses are transmitted from animals to people，it can take scientists a lot of time before they can develop a vaccine or medicines to cure it．

    How does the virus spread？The virus appears to spread mainly from person to person．The transmission occurs when someone comes into contact with an infected person．For example，a cough，a sneeze or a handshake could cause transmission． The spread may also be caused by coming into contact with something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth，nose or eyes．

virus        病毒 mammal    哺乳动物 respiratory 呼吸的 infection    感染 transmit     传染 case          病例 diagnose    诊断 cure          治愈 occur        发生 contact      接触

（1）When were coronaviruses discovered？　　

A． In the 1960s．

B． In the 1970s．

C． In the 1980s．

（2）Where did the new coronaviruses start spreading at the end of 2019？　　

A． In China．

B． In America．

C． All over the world．

（3）Is it easy for the doctors to cure COVID﹣19？　　

A． Yes，it is．

B． No，it isn't．

C． Not mentioned．

（4）How many ways are mentioned for the spread of the new coronaviruses？　　

A．1．

B．2．

C．3．