The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers Review

The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance: IELTS Reading Answers and Insights

The mechanism of resistance is a natural evolutionary process. When a population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic, most are killed, but those with unique genetic mutations may survive. These survivors then multiply, passing on their resistant traits. While this process is natural, human activity has put it into overdrive. In many parts of the world, antibiotics are available over the counter without a prescription, leading to their use for viral infections like the common cold, against which they are entirely ineffective.

" (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. The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance: IELTS

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."

Section D: The Consequence for Modern Medicine

The implications extend far beyond difficult-to-treat pneumonia or urinary tract infections. Antibiotics are the backbone of modern medicine. Procedures such as caesarean sections, hip replacements, chemotherapy for cancer, and organ transplants rely heavily on the ability to prevent and treat bacterial infections. If these prophylactic antibiotics become ineffective, these life-saving interventions will carry unacceptable levels of risk. For example, a routine knee replacement could lead to an untreatable bone infection, forcing amputation. Cancer patients, whose immune systems are decimated by chemotherapy, would be vulnerable to otherwise harmless bacteria. As Dr. Margaret Chan, former WHO Director-General, stated, ‘A post-antibiotic era would mean the end of modern medicine as we know it.’ While this process is natural, human activity has

Summary Completion 10. C (reserve) – ‘a new antibiotic is a ‘reserve’ drug’
11. A (revenue) – ‘the potential revenue for a new antibiotic is minuscule’
12. D (subscription) – ‘subscription-style payments’ or ‘Netflix model’
13. E (access) – ‘pay for access to antibiotics’

The discovery of new antibiotics has slowed dramatically because companies face a unique market problem. Unlike drugs for chronic diseases, new antibiotics are intended to be kept in (10) ______ to avoid creating resistance. This means sales volumes are low. As a result, the potential (11) ______ from an antibiotic is much smaller than that from other medications. To solve this, some propose a (12) ______ system where governments pay a set fee for (13) ______ to antibiotics, regardless of how much is used. IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations 1

Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin immediately led to antibiotic resistance.

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