reading comprehension – MitchRyan's Blog

Reading and Writing #4 (short passage)

Posted on May 18, 2022May 25, 2022 by Ms. Elle

Getting a vaccination could soon be as simple as eating a potato. Researchers at the University of Maryland, led by Dr. Carol Tacket, are developing edible vaccines that could grant immunity against some diseases.

To be inoculated against a virus, bacterium, or toxin, the antibodies of our immune systems must be exposed to the illness-bearing agent, or pathogen. Vaccines work by exposing the body to pathogens that have been killed or disarmed. Once sensitized, antibodies can mobilize rapidly against familiar enemies by binding to them and preventing their growth and activity.

Most vaccines are delivered in shots or pills, but the new one will be incorporated in raw potatoes. The potatoes have been genetically engineered to produce the key piece of an E.coli toxin that causes acute diarrhea. As the spuds move through the intestinal system and are digested, the toxin fragment is released and exposed to the immune system, which then generates antibodies against the toxin.

Dr. Tacket’s group is waiting for approval from the FDA to test the potato vaccine on humans; it has already been tested successfully in mice. The next step would be to genetically modify bananas to carry vaccines, because raw bananas taste better than raw potatoes.

The potential for edible vaccines is tremendous, especially in developing countries. Whereas current vaccines are expensive to produce, store, transport, and administer, an edible vaccine could be grown where it is needed in the quantity desired, and requires considerably less medical expertise to use.

EXERCISE 1: Below are list of vocabulary from the reading article. Complete the table by providing the definition and sample sentence for each of the given vocabulary. You may download, link below.

vocabulary	meaning	sample sentence
edible	fit to be eaten as food	Fruits found in the forest may not be edible.
grant (verb)	to give	Their request for monetary allowance was granted.
immunity	the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease	Vaccines help the body build immunity to diseases.
disease
inoculate
toxin
antibody
immune system
expose
pathogen
genetically engineered
generates
potential
tremendous
current
administer
quantity
desire

vocabulary table Download

EXERCISE 2: Reading Comprehension Questions

Download questions to test your reading comprehension.

Questions-article-4 Download WORD file

Questions-article-4 PDF

EXERCISE 3: Write a short essay on any of the following topics.

How a CoViD-19 vaccine works?
Benefits of CoViD-19 vaccine
Advantages of a vaccinated person over unvaccinated individual
Importance of vaccination
How are CoViD-19 vaccines administered?

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LET’S CONNECT

Reading and Writing #2 (short article)

Posted on May 18, 2022May 18, 2022 by Ms. Elle

Just a few minutes’ chatting on a mobile phone reduces the brain functions of children for almost an hour, according to new Spanish test results quoted in Norwegian media.

The tests, conducted by the German investigator Michael Klieeisen at the Spanish Neuro Diagnostic Research Institute in Marbella, are the first to show how children’s brains react to the use of mobile phones. With the help of a scanner, Klieeisen was able to create pictures of how the brains of an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl reacted while they used a mobile phone. The results were compared with similar tests using adult subjects.

The tests showed that the brain activity of the child subjects was reduced significantly, especially on the side where the mobile phone was held, a few minutes after the call was begun, the report said. Also, brain activity was lower than normal in large sections of the brain for 50 minutes after the end of the call, the test results showed.

“My advice to all parents is not to allow children to use mobile phones.” Klieeisen was quoted by Aftenposten as saying. “Not only are electrical activities affected, but also bio chemical processes. We do not know if it is dangerous, but we do know that children’s brains, which are not fully developed, are more vulnerable than adult brains are,” the researcher added.

Researchers in Britain confirm the Spanish results, and Norwegian and Swedish experts are also studying the health risk posed by mobile phones.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Questions-article-2 Download

LET’S CONNECT

New Hire: Human Resource Announcement

Posted on February 17, 2022February 27, 2022 by Ms. Elle

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that Mr. Mark Smith has accepted the position of accounting consultant in the accounting department, effective 1st March 2022. This position reports to Vice-president of finance Summer Dominguez.

Mr. Smith will be overseeing the accounts of five major clients in the construction industries.

He graduated from Ramangala University in Songkhla with a degree in accounting. Prior to accepting this position, he served as a senior accountant for Liquor Brewery Limited for ten years. Mr. Smith brings experience and a proven track record of success in the accounting area, which will be invaluable in meeting the departmental goals and objectives.

I am confident that Mr. Mark Smith will be an excellent match for this position and a strong asset to the accounting department. He will be located in main building and can be reached at 0912345678 or marksmith@gmaildotcom.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Mark Smith to Upland Groups.

Vocabulary