The Growing Global Threat Of - Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
In response to this threat, international bodies have launched coordinated efforts. The WHO’s Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, adopted by member states in 2015, outlines five key objectives: to improve awareness and understanding of AMR, strengthen surveillance and research, reduce the incidence of infection through better hygiene, optimise the use of antimicrobials, and ensure sustainable investment in new medicines. The Interagency Coordination Group (IACG) has recommended the creation of an independent ‘One Health’ panel, recognising that human, animal, and environmental health are inseparable. Some countries have shown leadership: Sweden has one of the lowest antibiotic usage rates in Europe, while Australia banned the use of colistin – a last-resort antibiotic – in animal husbandry years before many other nations.
Tackling AMR requires a ‘One Health’ approach involving individuals, doctors, and policymakers. For the public, the message is clear: never demand antibiotics for viral illnesses, always complete the prescribed course (though some experts now argue that ‘complete the course’ may need revisiting), and practice good hand hygiene. For healthcare professionals, rapid diagnostic tests must replace the ‘just in case’ prescribing habits. For farmers, the immediate priority is to end the routine use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion. Finally, governments must invest in water sanitation and infection control in hospitals – the front line of resistance spread. If these measures are implemented globally, the rise of resistance can be slowed, but the clock is ticking.
The acceleration of AMR is not accidental; it is primarily driven by human behaviour. The most significant factor is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. In many countries, antibiotics are available without prescription, leading to their use for viral infections like the common cold, against which they are completely ineffective. In agriculture, an estimated 70% of all antibiotics sold globally are used in farm animals – not only to treat sick animals but also to promote growth and prevent disease in healthy livestock. This sub-therapeutic dosing creates a perfect breeding ground for resistant bacteria, which can then reach humans through the food chain, water run-off, and direct contact.
While demand for new antibiotics is urgent, the pharmaceutical pipeline is dry. Since 1987, very few truly novel classes of antibiotics have been discovered. This is a market failure from an economic perspective. A new antibiotic is a ‘reserve’ drug – doctors will only use it in the most extreme cases to prevent resistance from developing. Consequently, the potential revenue for a new antibiotic is minuscule compared to a lucrative drug for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Many major pharmaceutical companies have abandoned antibiotic research altogether. To solve this, innovative funding models are being tested, such as the ‘Netflix model’ or subscription-style payments, where governments pay a fixed annual fee for access to antibiotics regardless of how many are used, decoupling profit from volume sold.
1. FALSE Explanation: Paragraph A mentions Fleming’s discovery but states the crisis is happening "less than a century later" and implies it is a current or future threat, not predicted by Fleming in the text. The text says the "golden age" is in jeopardy now, but does not say Fleming predicted it. (Note: If the text does not mention a prediction, it would be Not Given. However, the text implies the triumph was celebrated, and the jeopardy is a current realization. Let's look closer at the text. The text does not mention Fleming's predictions. Therefore, strictly speaking, this should be NOT GIVEN. However, in many IELTS papers, if the text establishes a timeline contrary to the statement (he discovered it, we are facing the crisis now), students often confuse False/NG. Let's adjust the key to the strict IELTS standard: The text does not say he predicted it. Answer: NOT GIVEN.) Correction: The text does not say he predicted it. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
2. FALSE Explanation: Paragraph B states: "It is important to understand that it is the bacteria, not the host, that become resistant."
3. TRUE Explanation: Paragraph C states: "...doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold... against which these drugs are entirely ineffective... simultaneously killing off harmless bacteria and allowing resistant strains to colonise."
4. NOT GIVEN Explanation: Paragraph D says, "a significant percentage of all antibiotics sold are used in livestock," but it does not explicitly state it is more than the human sector globally. It just says it is a significant percentage.
5. FALSE Explanation: Paragraph E states: "We are entering what the World Health Organization has termed a 'post-antibiotic era'." This implies it is a future or beginning stage, not that it has "already begun in most countries."
6. entirely ineffective Explanation: Paragraph C mentions that antibiotics are "entirely ineffective" against viral infections.
7. (growth) promotion / growth Explanation: Paragraph D states antibiotics are used "...to promote growth...". The summary uses the verb "encourage", so the noun "growth" fits best. "Growth promotion" is also acceptable as it appears in the text later.
8. runoff Explanation: Paragraph D mentions bacteria travel through "water runoff".
9. GDP Explanation: Paragraph E mentions antimicrobial resistance could cause a decline in "global GDP".
10. (natural) evolutionary process Explanation: Paragraph B states: "This is a natural evolutionary process..."
11. sub-therapeutic dosing Explanation: Paragraph D refers to the use of antibiotics to promote growth as "sub-therapeutic dosing".
12. antibiotic stewardship (programmes) Explanation: Paragraph F mentions "...implementing 'antibiotic stewardship' programmes...".
13. (a) lack of profitability Explanation: Paragraph F states companies abandoned research "due to a lack of profitability." Do the following statements agree with the information
The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance: An IELTS Reading Guide
The topic of antibiotic resistance is a staple of the IELTS Reading exam. It frequently appears in Academic Reading passages because it combines scientific data with urgent global social issues, testing your ability to follow complex arguments, identify cause-and-effect relationships, and understand writer perspectives.
Below is a comprehensive article based on common IELTS reading materials covering this theme. It explores why this "silent pandemic" is considered one of the greatest threats to modern medicine and how to approach the specific question types associated with it. Understanding the "Superbug" Crisis
Antibiotics have been the cornerstone of modern medicine since the mid-20th century. However, their success has come at a significant cost. The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand the drugs designed to kill them, rendering standard treatments ineffective.
In some IELTS passages, this is described as a return to a "pre-antibiotic era," where minor infections or routine surgeries like hip replacements and C-sections could once again become life-threatening. Why is the Threat Growing?
According to common IELTS reading texts, several factors contribute to this escalating global crisis: Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance - Bacteria - Scribd
The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance: IELTS Reading Answers and Insights
The growing global threat of antibiotic resistance has become a pressing concern for the medical community, policymakers, and individuals alike. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it increasingly difficult to treat infections. In this article, we will explore the concept of antibiotic resistance, its causes, consequences, and solutions, while also providing IELTS reading answers and insights.
What is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to survive and thrive despite the presence of antibiotics. This happens when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, and those that are susceptible to the medication die off, leaving behind resistant bacteria. Over time, these resistant bacteria multiply and spread, making infections harder to treat.
Causes of Antibiotic Resistance
The causes of antibiotic resistance are multifaceted:
Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance
The consequences of antibiotic resistance are far-reaching and alarming:
Solutions to Antibiotic Resistance
To combat antibiotic resistance, a multifaceted approach is necessary:
IELTS Reading Answers and Insights
For IELTS test-takers, understanding the topic of antibiotic resistance is crucial, as it is a common theme in IELTS reading passages. Here are some sample IELTS reading answers and insights:
Sample IELTS Reading Passage:
"The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it increasingly difficult to treat infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development. The WHO has urged governments and healthcare professionals to take action to address the issue."
Sample IELTS Reading Questions and Answers:
Tips for IELTS Test-Takers:
Conclusion
The growing global threat of antibiotic resistance requires immediate attention and action. Understanding the causes, consequences, and solutions to antibiotic resistance is essential for IELTS test-takers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. By working together to promote responsible antibiotic use, develop new antibiotics, and enhance infection control measures, we can mitigate the risks of antibiotic resistance and protect global health.
The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance IELTS Reading Answers
The growing global threat of antibiotic resistance is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it challenging to treat infections.
Reading Passage:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health, food security, and development. The organization estimates that at least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant infections. If left unchecked, antibiotic resistance could lead to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
The widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture and human medicine has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Farmers use antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease in livestock, while doctors prescribe them to treat bacterial infections. However, the overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the development of resistance.
The consequences of antibiotic resistance are far-reaching. Infections will become more difficult to treat, and the risk of transmission will increase. Hospitals will become breeding grounds for resistant bacteria, and patients with compromised immune systems will be most vulnerable.
IELTS Reading Questions and Answers:
Question 1: What is the estimated number of deaths per year due to drug-resistant infections?
Answer: At least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant infections.
Question 2: What is the projected number of deaths annually by 2050 if antibiotic resistance is left unchecked? In response to this threat, international bodies have
Answer: 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
Question 3: What are the two main contributors to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
Answer: The widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture and human medicine.
Question 4: What will be the consequence of antibiotic resistance in hospitals?
Answer: Hospitals will become breeding grounds for resistant bacteria.
Question 5: Who is most vulnerable to antibiotic-resistant infections?
Answer: Patients with compromised immune systems.
Question 6: What is the organization that warned about the threat of antibiotic resistance?
Answer: The World Health Organization (WHO).
Tips and Strategies:
By understanding the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance and practicing IELTS reading questions and answers, you can improve your reading comprehension skills and achieve a better band score.
It sounds like you’re looking for two things: (1) an engaging story that illustrates the threat of antibiotic resistance, and (2) the IELTS Reading answer key for a passage on that topic.
Since I can’t reproduce actual Cambridge IELTS copyrighted passages or official answer keys, I can instead:
Passage excerpt (Paragraph C):
"The overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming accounts for over 70% of global antibiotic consumption. This practice selects for resistant bacteria that can transfer to humans via food or direct contact."Question (Sentence Completion):
The majority of antibiotics worldwide are used in ______.Answer: livestock farming (or animal agriculture)