Answers ((link)) - The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading

The IELTS reading passage titled "The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance" explores the escalating crisis of bacteria evolving faster than medical science can keep up. This topic is a staple in IELTS exams because it blends scientific complexity with urgent social and economic implications. Core Themes of the Reading Passage

The article typically follows a structured narrative often found in Academic Reading tests: Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance - Bacteria - Scribd

The "Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance" is a prominent topic in IELTS Academic Reading tests, often exploring how misuse and over-reliance on these drugs have led to the emergence of "superbugs". Core Themes of the Passage

The Evolutionary Process: Bacteria develop resistance naturally through mutation and natural selection. When antibiotics are used, they kill defenseless bacteria but leave behind resistant ones, which then multiply rapidly—sometimes doubling in number within a day.

Human Misuse: A major driver is the inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics for viral infections or as a preventative measure. In many countries, antibiotics are also heavily used in livestock as growth supplements, which creates massive environmental reservoirs for resistance genes.

Economic Barriers: Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize the development of more profitable drugs for chronic conditions (like asthma or heart disease) over new antibiotics, which are relatively inexpensive and used for short durations.

Global Health Impact: By 2050, it is estimated that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could cause up to 10 million deaths annually, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of mortality. Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance - Bacteria - Scribd

The IELTS Reading passage " The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance The IELTS reading passage titled " The Growing

" (often titled "The Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Infections") highlights the evolution of superbacteria due to antibiotic misuse and the urgent need for global intervention. IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations 1. True/False/Not Given 1. T: Preventative use in farming is a major factor. 2. T: Proper prescribing limits broad-spectrum exposure. 3. T: Some bacteria are now untreatable.

4. NG: The text does not specifically discuss "untested" drugs.

5. F: Resistance is a consequence of selection, not an inevitable outcome of every use.

6. T: Hygiene, such as washing hands, prevents the spread of resistant strains.

7. T: Using antibiotics for viral infections is a primary cause of resistance. 2. Matching Information

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria - Natural selection and evolution - BBC

This paper includes the reading passage and three distinct question types commonly found in the IELTS exam. The Answer Key is provided at the very bottom. A) The natural evolutionary process of bacteria B)

Feature: "The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance" — IELTS Reading Answers

Section A: Multiple Choice (Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D)

1. According to the passage, what is the primary reason antibiotic resistance has accelerated?

A) The natural evolutionary process of bacteria
B) The incorrect and excessive use of antibiotics by humans
C) The lack of new types of bacteria being discovered
D) The high cost of producing penicillin

2. What is stated as a consequence of using antibiotics in livestock?

A) It prevents all diseases in animals.
B) It has no effect on human health.
C) It can create resistant bacteria that reach humans via food.
D) It is the only effective method for animal growth.

3. Why are pharmaceutical companies reluctant to develop new antibiotics?

A) The scientific process is too quick and easy.
B) New antibiotics are highly profitable due to mass sales.
C) The financial return is poor as new drugs are kept for emergencies.
D) Governments have banned the production of all new antibiotics.

READING PASSAGE

The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance

A. The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 is often cited as one of the most significant milestones in medical history. For the first time, humanity possessed a weapon against bacterial infections that had historically been fatal. Diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and sepsis became treatable, and the average life expectancy rose significantly. This "golden age" of antibiotics ushered in an era of surgical safety; complex operations became routine because doctors could reliably prevent post-operative infections. However, less than a century later, this medical triumph is in jeopardy. We are now facing a global crisis where the drugs used to treat infections are losing their efficacy, a phenomenon known as antibiotic resistance.

B. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the drugs designed to kill them. It is important to understand that it is the bacteria, not the host, that become resistant. This is a natural evolutionary process; when a person takes an antibiotic, sensitive bacteria are killed, but resistant germs may survive. These survivors then multiply, creating a new population of bacteria that the drug can no longer touch. While this mutation occurs naturally, the speed at which it is happening today is unprecedented, driven largely by human behaviour and the misuse of these vital medicines.

C. The primary driver of this accelerated resistance is the overprescription of antibiotics in human medicine. Studies indicate that in many countries, doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, against which these drugs are entirely ineffective. This exposes the patient’s body to the risks of side effects without any benefit, while simultaneously killing off harmless bacteria and allowing resistant strains to colonise. Furthermore, patients often contribute to the problem by failing to complete their prescribed course of medication. When a patient stops taking antibiotics early because they "feel better," the strongest bacteria may survive, breeding a new generation of superbugs that are harder to eradicate. FALSE if it contradicts the passage

D. However, human medicine is not the sole culprit. The agricultural sector plays a substantial, yet often overlooked, role in the resistance crisis. Globally, a significant percentage of all antibiotics sold are used in livestock, not to treat sickness, but to promote growth and prevent infection in crowded, unsanitary conditions. This sub-therapeutic dosing creates an ideal breeding ground for resistant bacteria. These bacteria can then travel from the farm to the wider environment through water runoff or the food chain. For example, handling or consuming undercooked meat contaminated with resistant bacteria can transfer these dangerous pathogens directly to humans.

E. The consequences of this trend are alarming. We are entering what the World Health Organization (WHO) has termed a "post-antibiotic era." In this scenario, common infections and minor injuries would once again become lethal. Routine surgeries, such as hip replacements or caesarean sections, would carry a high risk of mortality due to untreatable infections. Furthermore, modern medical treatments that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy for cancer, would become incredibly dangerous without effective antibiotics to protect patients from opportunistic infections. The economic impact is equally stark; the World Bank predicts that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance could cause a decline in global GDP comparable to the shock of the 2008 financial crisis.

F. Addressing this threat requires a multifaceted global response. On an individual level, patients must demand antibiotics only when necessary and adhere strictly to prescription instructions. Governments and health organisations are increasingly implementing "antibiotic stewardship" programmes to regulate prescribing practices in hospitals. Simultaneously, the agricultural industry must be incentivised to improve hygiene standards and reduce reliance on antibiotics for growth promotion. However, perhaps the most critical need is for new drugs. The pipeline of new antibiotics has run dry; major pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned research in this field due to a lack of profitability compared to drugs for chronic diseases. Unless significant financial incentives are provided to spur innovation, the medical arsenal against superbugs will soon be empty.

Section B: Identifying Information (True / False / Not Given)

Write: TRUE if the statement matches the passage, FALSE if it contradicts the passage, NOT GIVEN if there is no information.

4. Alexander Fleming warned about antibiotic resistance in his 1928 discovery paper. 5. Without action, deaths from drug-resistant infections are predicted to exceed deaths from cancer by 2050. 6. Sweden’s strategy to reduce antibiotic use focused on restricting prescriptions for humans only. 7. All countries have now adopted the UK’s ‘subscription’ model for paying drug companies.

Questions 6-9: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?

Antibiotic resistance spreads more slowly between different bacterial species than within the same species.
Approximately two-thirds of global antibiotic consumption occurs in human medicine rather than agriculture.
Sweden has implemented successful policies to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
The pharmaceutical industry has developed over twenty new classes of antibiotics since 2000.