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Paul Sparks, Sino-Canadian International College, Guangxi University, Online English Lesson Plans, Lesson Material and Ideas for Reading Lessons...

 

 

Reading: In Class Test No.1 (October 2003)

 


Instructions: Time allowed = 30 minutes.

Read the article “Childhood Immunizations: Always a Good Idea” then answer the questions, reading the instructions carefully for each question. Write in pen, not pencil, crossing out any mistakes. Write all of your answers on this paper. Do not communicate in any way with another student or you will fail.

Childhood Immunizations: Always A Good Idea.
By Daphne Miller:

Surprising as it is, there are still some parents who struggle over whether or not to have their children vaccinated. Here's a look at the facts, and the falsehoods, about immunization.

The truth about immunization:
Most of the shots your child receives in the first few years of life provide lifelong protection (immunity) against deadly childhood diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and other infections. Half a century ago, these diseases caused a great deal of childhood death and disability throughout the world. In the United States today, we rarely see these diseases. In other parts of the world, however -- where vaccinations are not widely used -- these diseases still affect many children.
 
Myths and misconceptions:
Even knowing those facts, some parents still decide not to give their children the recommended childhood vaccines. Several myths and misconceptions lead parents to make this decision:

  • My child might have a bad reaction to the vaccination shot.

  • My child might develop the disease that the immunization is supposed to prevent.

  • Since everyone else is vaccinating their children, my child won't be exposed to infections.

  • I can't afford to vaccinate my child.


Debunking the myths:
In reality, most reactions to vaccines are very mild and last only a few hours. Symptoms include fever, fussiness, and pain in the area where the shot was given. Your healthcare provider can usually suggest remedies to make your children more comfortable and get them through this time.

The occurrence of disease caused by vaccinations is rare. Each year in the United States, only a small number of children come down with polio or encephalitis (a brain infection) or have an allergic (hypersensitive) reaction after getting their vaccines. These instances cases of polio in the United States were thought to have been caused by vaccines. This is a ratio of approximately one child to 1.2 million children vaccinated. And most of those seven children had some other disease that compromised their immune systems and allowed them to become infected by polio.

While it's true that vaccines contain bacteria or viruses, the amount injected into your child in a vaccine is tiny compared with the amount of bacteria that enters your child's body every day while playing with other children or sucking on fingers and toys.

Vaccinations only make your child's immune system stronger. There is no evidence to suggest that being vaccinated will make your child more likely to catch colds, flu bugs, or other illnesses.

Free vaccines for all:
Sadly, some parents are not aware that vaccines are available free of charge to every child in the United States. While some  private clinics refuse to treat uninsured children, each county should have a vaccination program for children regardless of age, ethnicity, or citizenship status. If you don't know where you can get your child immunized for free, call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline at 1-800-232-2522 (English) or 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish). These hotlines operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST.

Any parent who is uncertain about whether or not to immunize their child should consult with their healthcare provider. Many myths about immunization can be put to rest by getting the facts. Parents who learn these facts usually decide that immunizing their children is the safer and healthier choice.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/health/9905/124/immunizations/index.html

 


Questions

1.    Answer the following questions using short answers (not sentences).

      (Worth 5 marks each.)

 

    a)  Name 2 of the worst diseases affecting children.

    b)  How many cases of polio were considered a result of vaccination last year?

    c)  What effect does vaccination have on the immune system?

    d)  What is the phone number to call for advice on immunization in Spanish?


2.    Write “True”, “False” or “Not Given” beside each statement. (10 marks each)

    a)    Many parents are afraid of children’s vaccinations.                

    b)    Many children died world wide of diseases fifty years ago.            

    c)    The reactions to vaccines are serious and dangerous.            

    d)    The hotlines are operated by nurses.                        

    e)    It’s expensive to get children vaccinated in the USA.                    


3.    Underline the word closest in meaning as used in the context of the article.       (5 marks each)

    a)  deadly:
                            silent
                            inconvenient
                            fatal

    b)  myths:
                            untrue stories
                            medical staff
                            true details

    c)  shot:
                            bullet
                            injection
                            procedure

    d)  remedies:
                            cures
                            pillows
                            corrections

    e)  compromised:
                            strengthened
                            weakened
                            cured


4.    The main idea of this article is that: (5 marks)

a)  Parents need more information about injections.

b)  Vaccination is a safe way to protect children from disease.

c)  Children should be kept clean to avoid sickness.

d)  Healthcare providers should help parents to pay for vaccinations for children.
       
 

ANSWERS


1.  a) polio, measles, mumps, rubella       

     b) 7                       

     c) makes it stronger               

     d) 1-800-232-0233               

2.  a) True

     b) True

     c) False

     d) Not Given

     e) False

3.  a) fatal

     b) untrue stories
         
     c) injection

     d) cures
       
     e) weakened

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