The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers Better <95% Official>

New antibiotics are often withheld from general use to save them for extreme cases.

As Joe Cranston, Ph.D., explains, “Whenever antibiotics are used, there is selective pressure for resistance to occur. More and more organisms develop resistance to more and more drugs”. Worse still, bacteria can spread resistance genes through a process called ‘horizontal gene transfer’, where one bacterium passes resistance to another without needing to be its parent. A single small circle of DNA called a plasmid can flit from one type of bacterium to another, providing resistance to multiple drugs at once.

Addressing this global peril requires a dual strategy: curbing the unnecessary consumption of existing drugs and stimulating the pipeline for novel antimicrobial discoveries. Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical sector has largely abandoned antibiotic research and development. Developing a new antibiotic demands astronomical financial investment and decades of rigorous clinical trials, yet the financial return is minimal. Because new antibiotics must be used sparingly to preserve their efficacy, pharmaceutical conglomerates prefer investing in lucrative drugs for chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, which patients consume daily for decades. Paragraph E

The growing global threat of antibiotic resistance is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it challenging to treat infections. New antibiotics are often withheld from general use

The text above reflects the style, vocabulary, and structure of an IELTS Academic Reading passage. Use the following questions to test your comprehension and scanning skills. Questions 1–5

Questions on this topic frequently test your ability to link human actions (e.g., stopping medication early, farming practices) with biological outcomes (e.g., survival of resilient bacteria, transmission to humans).

What does the passage say about patients’ behaviour? A. Most patients complete their course of antibiotics B. Patients often demand antibiotics for viral illnesses C. Patients prefer newer, more expensive drugs D. Patients rarely take antibiotics as prescribed Worse still, bacteria can spread resistance genes through

Paragraph B states that the death toll from AMR is "projected to skyrocket if immediate action is not taken," which directly contradicts the idea that deaths will decrease.

Complete the sentences below using from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 12–13 on your answer sheet.

To combat superbugs, a unified strategy called the ____________ approach must be adopted. This framework highlights the links between humans, animals, and our environment. Policymakers need to implement tighter laws to outlaw the use of antibiotics for 12. ____________ in livestock farming. Additionally, international organizations should offer 13. ____________ to jumpstart research and motivate biotech companies to create new medications. Answer Key and Explanations Questions 1–5: Paragraph Matching Matching specific scientists or spokespeople (e.g.

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Write TRUE , FALSE , or NOT GIVEN in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.

Matching specific scientists or spokespeople (e.g., Killeen, McCaig, or Emma Thompson) to their claims about broader spectrum agents or the "continuous race" for discovery. Matching Information to Paragraphs: