Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers Verified [2021]: The Growing Global

Explanation: While a "One Health" approach is part of global discourse, the passage does not state that it has been implemented to successfully eliminate superbugs in Europe.

While human misuse is a massive component of the problem, the agricultural sector represents an equally hazardous vector. Worldwide, a staggering volume of antibiotics is administered to livestock, poultry, and farmed fish. Shockingly, the majority of these substances are not used to treat diagnosed illnesses; instead, they serve as growth promoters or preventative mass treatments to counteract overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. This agricultural runoff enters the local water table, soil ecosystems, and the food supply chain. When consumers ingest undercooked meat or crops irrigated with contaminated water, they inadvertently expose their internal microbiomes to resistant bacterial strains bred on commercial farms. Paragraph E

Antibiotics are chemical substances used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Since Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928, these modern miracles have saved hundreds of millions of lives. However, the fundamental law of evolutionary biology dictates that organisms adapt to survive. When exposed to an antibiotic, the majority of susceptible bacteria die, but those possessing random genetic mutations that grant them immunity survive and replicate.

Paragraph F explicitly contradicts this, noting that "developing new antibiotics yields low financial returns compared to chronic disease medications," which is why corporate investment has stalled. 9. Answer: NOT GIVEN

Paragraph A opens with the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, describing it as a historic event that "marked the dawn of the antibiotic era" and transformed modern medicine. Explanation: While a "One Health" approach is part

Given the limited pipeline for new antibiotics, there is a pressing need for innovative research. Organizations like the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) are investing in research and development of new antibiotics and alternative therapies. Collaborative efforts between governments, healthcare institutions, and pharmaceutical companies are crucial to overcome financial and regulatory challenges.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a dramatic surge in dangerous drug-resistant bacteria called NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE), with infections increasing by more than 460% between 2019 and 2023. These bacteria are resistant to nearly all available antibiotics, including last-line therapies, leaving few treatment options.

The passage notes that physicians prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like influenza, "against which the drugs are entirely ineffective."

A warning regarding the projected financial and human mortality toll of resistance by mid-century. Shockingly, the majority of these substances are not

To spark pharmaceutical innovation, governments need to offer medical companies ____________. Verified Answer Key and Explanations

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B. False. Over a third of hospital-acquired infections involve drug-resistant bacteria, and patients with resistant infections face higher mortality risks.

Antibiotics are highly effective at curing severe viral infections like influenza. Paragraph E Antibiotics are chemical substances used to

Paragraph E deals directly with financial impacts, stating that the use of advanced therapies "drastically increases the duration of hospital stays and places an immense financial burden on public healthcare infrastructure." 4. Answer: A

The agricultural sector is a major contributor. In many parts of the world, up to 80% of total antibiotic use is in livestock, not for treating sick animals but for growth promotion and disease prevention in crowded conditions. This sub-therapeutic dosing creates ideal conditions for resistance to develop. The WHO has recommended phasing out the use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion, yet enforcement varies widely.

The text recommends that individuals use antibiotics responsibly, get vaccinated, and practice good hygiene.

: Patients often demand antibiotics for viral infections like the cold or flu, even though antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.