China’s breeding ground for a generation of super germs MC Continuity RLS

China’s breeding ground for a generation of super germs What are antibiotics and how do they work? What are the dangers of prescribing too many antibiotics?

“Now I just buy antibiotics myself. …” It costs him about 60 cents for a box of 24 …. Buying antibiotics in China … (86%) 35. A. takes time and money B. remains unusual even today. C. is as easy as buying aspirin. D. has always required connections. Does 60 cents sound expensive? Does it sound difficult for the man to get antibiotics? C = Correct

Up to 90% of people who visit a hospital on the mainland are given some type of antibiotic. (78%) 36. A. Scientists are working hard to develop B. This overuse of antibiotics has resulted in C. And a large proportion of them come from D. Such a revolution in patient care demands … a new generation of drug-resistant ‘super- germs’ in the world’s most populous country. Is it a good thing or bad thing to have drug-resistant germs? The cause must be something negative. B=Correct

But because antibiotics … (81%) 37. A. have been widely misused and overused, B. are not a cure for every known disease, C. cannot be taken without a prescription, D. are a relatively recent medical discovery, … the bacteria they were meant to kill have begun to mutate. What is the main message of the passage so far? A=Correct

The U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has called it one of the most pressing global health problems. (61%) 38. A. While patients demand ever higher standards of care, B. Although new diseases are being discovered every day, C. Knowing that there is little that can be done to help victims, D. With some diseases becoming more potent than ever, … doctors are running out of drugs to treat them. What is the problem that has been described? What does “them” refer to? D=Correct

In China, growing global ties mean that public health problems (54%) 39. A. can be carried from one side of the country to the other. B. are no longer purely a domestic issue. C. get media attention quickly nowadays. D. leave officials guessing where they will occur next. The reference to “global ties” implies that the “super-germs” may spread to other countries. B=Correct

However, the outbreak of SARS in 2003 has heightened awareness. (71%) 40. A. To promote better public hygiene, B. Although prevention is better than cure, C. Seeking to reduce the pressure on hospitals, D. In an effort to combat the ever-widening abuse, … government authorities announced that a doctor’s prescription will be required from July. Requiring a doctor’s prescription is a strategy for the government to have more control. People won’t be able to take antibiotics freely. D=Correct

“I’ve seen programmes on television,’ said Mr. Ye. “But they don’t tell you what else you can take if (75%) 41. A. it doesn’t fit their agenda.” B. you don’t take antibiotics.” C. it’s a matter of life and death.” D. you only read the newspaper.” Taking antibiotics is the only method people know. B=Correct

… a doctor’s prescription is already officially required … to obtain antibiotics - … Zhang Aiqin, head pharmacist of Beijing’s Anzhen Hospital, said the rule would not work in China because (72%) 42. A. of concerns over the willingness of patients to participate. B. many people had already built up sufficient supplies at home. C. the manufacturing equipment was not widely available. D. of its lax regulations on prescriptions and vast population. … “How will each drug store identify which doctor and which hospital wrote the prescription?” He seems to be worried about the number of drug stores and the number of doctors. The reference to prescriptions being “officially” required implies that they are not required in practice. D=Correct

Hospitals rely on selling drugs for the bulk of their revenue and (71%) 43. A. offering extra services, like private rooms, also helps. B. trying to change the existing situation is essential. C. doctors often earn commission from drug companies. D. they sometimes refuse to accept credit card payments. … In many cases, out- patients pay less than US$1 to see a doctor… but might spend US$30 or more on drugs. The writer is trying to explain why the problem exists. Part of the problem is there are financial incentives for doctors to prescribe drugs. C=Correct

“Doctors always ask if we have medical coverage or if we’re paying ourselves,” said Mr. Ye. (52%) 44. A. “As professionals, B. “To help us recover, C. “If we have coverage, D. “For the sake of convenience, … they always prescribe more drugs and more expensive drugs.” When would doctors prescribe more expensive drugs? When would patients be willing to take more expensive drugs? C=Correct

Two years ago, the magazine Capital Medicine sent 5 young reporters to 40 hospitals in Beijing. The 5 were first confirmed to have no respiratory symptoms, but they went to the hospitals (64%) 45. A. complaining of coughs, sore throats and other mild symptoms. B. as a protest against the poor working conditions there. C. to interview patients with these problems about their treatment. D. looking for patients and staff with similar symptoms. Doctors at 32 of the hospitals, …, promptly prescribed antibiotics. Who are “they”? Why did the reporters go see doctors if they weren’t sick? What did they say to make the doctors prescribe medicine to them. A=Correct

…some will immediately give … a powerful antibiotic known in the U.S. as the drug of last resort. That, given the current situation,” says Dr. Philip Jenkins, a World Health Organisation expert on drug resistance, (38%) 46. A. “will help everyone recover quickly.” B. “is the last thing we want.” C. “must be the solution.” D. “can only help.” Does the writer think that prescribing powerful antibiotics is a good idea? B=Correct