Passage 1: The Discovery of Penicillin
Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928 marked the beginning of modern antibiotics. Before this discovery, bacterial infections like pneumonia, syphilis, and tuberculosis often resulted in death. Fleming, a Scottish bacteriologist, observed that a mold called Penicillium notatum had killed bacteria in a petri dish. This serendipitous observation led to the development of penicillin, which was mass-produced during World War II, saving countless lives.
However, the discovery wasn’t immediately recognized. It took over a decade for Fleming’s work to gain the attention it deserved, largely due to the efforts of scientists Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain, who isolated the active substance and demonstrated its efficacy in treating infections in humans. Despite its success, penicillin also led to the rise of antibiotic resistance, a significant challenge in modern medicine.
2. Before penicillin, bacterial infections like _______ often led to death.
3. The mold that killed bacteria in Fleming's experiment was called _______.
4. The mass production of penicillin began during _______.
5. The work of _______ and Ernst Boris Chain helped in isolating penicillin.
6. A major challenge that arose due to penicillin use is _______.
8. Penicillin was effective in treating bacterial infections in animals before it was used on humans.
9. The development of penicillin was an entirely solo effort by Alexander Fleming.
10. Penicillin was mass-produced primarily during World War I.
11. Howard Florey and Ernst Boris Chain played a significant role in penicillin’s development.
12. Penicillin is the only antibiotic developed in the 20th century.
13. Antibiotic resistance is a recent phenomenon.
Passage 2: The Evolution of the Internet
The internet has become an integral part of modern life, evolving from a simple network of computers to a global communication platform. Its origins date back to the 1960s when the U.S. Department of Defense created ARPANET, a network designed for military communication. The internet expanded rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s with the development of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee. This development allowed for the creation of websites, which transformed how information was shared and consumed.
In the early 2000s, the internet began to take on its current form, with the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, e-commerce sites like Amazon, and streaming services like YouTube and Netflix. The internet has not only revolutionized communication but also business, entertainment, and education. Despite its benefits, the internet has also brought challenges such as privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, and the digital divide.
Passage 3: Climate Change and Its Global Impact
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. Rising global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events are all evidence of a changing climate. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have significantly contributed to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
The consequences of climate change are far-reaching. In coastal areas, rising sea levels threaten to displace millions of people. Agricultural regions are experiencing changes in crop yields due to altered weather patterns, leading to food insecurity in some parts of the world. Furthermore, the loss of biodiversity as species struggle to adapt to new conditions is a significant concern. International cooperation and policy changes are essential to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its impacts.
Climate change is driven by the accumulation of (27) _______ in the atmosphere due to human activities. This has led to rising global temperatures and the (28) _______ of polar ice caps. In coastal areas, (29) _______ threatens to displace millions, while changes in (30) _______ patterns affect agriculture. The loss of (31) _______ is another significant impact of climate change.
- Rising global temperatures are the only evidence of climate change.
- Burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming.
- The effects of climate change are limited to coastal regions.
- International cooperation is needed to mitigate the impact of climate change.
- Climate change has no impact on agricultural productivity.
- The loss of biodiversity is an irreversible consequence of climate change.
39. What is one of the major threats to coastal areas due to climate change?
40. What is essential to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change?
Answers
Passage 1:
1. 19282. pneumonia
3. Penicillium notatum
4. World War II
5. Howard Florey
6. antibiotic resistance
7. False
8. Not Given
9. False
10. False
11. True
12. False
13. False