Malaria Reading Answers

Feb 4, 2023

Malaria Reading Answers is an academic reading topic and a detailed study about the disease of Malaria. The given IELTS topic has originated from the book named “Cambridge IELTS 10 Student's Book with Answers”. The topic named Malaria Reading Answers has a total of 14 wide range of questions. The topic consists of three different sorts of questions, such as, choose the correct heading, Yes/No/Not Given, and complete the following sentences. The candidates should thoroughly read the IELTS reading passage to recognize the synonyms and identify the keywords and answer the questions below. IELTS reading practice papers can be taken into consideration by the candidates in order to score a good score in the reading section in which similar topics like Malaria Reading Answers has been included.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Malaria Reading Answers

Approximately 300 million people worldwide are affected by malaria and between 1 and 1.5 million people die from it every year. Previously extremely widespread, malaria is now mainly confined to Africa, Asia and Latin America. The problem of controlling malaria in these countries is aggravated by inadequate health structures and poor socio-economic conditions. The situation has become even more complex over the last few years with the increase in resistance to the drugs normally used to combat the parasite that causes the disease.
Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Four species of Plasmodium can produce the disease in its various forms: plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium ovale and plasmodium malaria. Plasmodium falciparum is the most widespread and dangerous of the four: untreated it can lead to fatal cerebral malaria. Malaria parasites are transmitted from one person to another by the female anopheline mosquito. The males do not transmit the disease as they feed only on plant juices. There are about 380 species of anopheline mosquito, but only 60 or so are able to transmit the parasite. Their sensitivity to insecticides is also highly variable.
Plasmodium develops in the gut of the mosquito and is passed on in the saliva of an infected insect each time it takes a new blood meal. The parasites are then carried by the blood into the victim’s liver where they invade the cells and multiply. After nine to sixteen days they return to the blood and penetrate the red cells where they multiply again, progressively breaking down the red cells. This induces bouts of fever and anemia in the infected individual. In the case of cerebral malaria the infected red cells obstruct the blood vessels in the brain. Other vital organs can also be damaged often leading to the death of the patient.
Malaria is diagnosed by the clinical symptoms and microscopic examination of the blood. It can normally be cured by anti-malarial drugs. The symptoms – fever, shivering, pain in the joints and headache – quickly disappear once the parasite is killed. In certain regions, however, the parasites have developed resistance to certain antimalarial drugs, particularly chloroquine. Patients in these areas require treatment with other more expensive drugs. In endemic regions where transmission rates are high, people are continually infected so that they gradually develop immunity to the disease. Until they have acquired such immunity, children remain highly vulnerable. Pregnant women are also highly susceptible since the natural defense mechanisms are reduced during pregnancy.
Malaria has been known since time immemorial but it was centuries before the true causes were understood. Surprisingly in view of this some ancient treatments were remarkably effective. An infusion of qinghao containing artemisinin has been used for at least the last 2000 years in China and the antifebrile properties of the bitter bark of Cinchona Ledgeriana were known in Peru before the 15th century. Quinine, the active ingredient of this potion, was first isolated in 1820 by the pharmacists. Although people were unaware of the origin of malaria and the mode of transmission, protective measures against the mosquito have been used for many hundreds of years. The inhabitants of swampy regions in Egypt were recorded as sleeping in tower-like structures out of the reach of mosquitoes, whereas others slept under nets as early as 450 B.C.
Malaria has social consequences and is a heavy burden on economic development. It is estimated that a single bout of malaria costs a sum equivalent to over 10 working days in Africa. The cost of treatment is between $US0.08 and $US5.30 according to the type of drugs prescribed as determined by local drug resistance. In 1987 the total cost of malaria – health care, treatment, lost production, etc. – was estimated to be $US800 million for tropical Africa and this figure is currently estimated to be more than $US1800 million.
The significance of malaria as a health problem is increasing in many parts of the world. Epidemics are even occurring around traditionally endemic zones in areas where transmission has been eliminated. These outbreaks are generally associated with deteriorating social and economic conditions and the main victims are underprivileged rural populations. Economic and political pressures compel entire populations to leave malaria free areas and move into endemic zones. People who are non-immune are at high risk of severe disease. Unfortunately, these population movements and the intensive urbanization are not always accompanied by adequate development of sanitation and health care. In many areas conflict, economic crises and administrative disorganization can result in the disruption of health services. The absence of adequate health services frequently results in recourse to self-administration of drugs often with incomplete treatment. This is a major factor in the increase in resistance of the parasites to previously effective drugs.
The hope of global eradication of malaria was finally abandoned in 1969 when it was recognised that this was unlikely ever to be achieved. Ongoing control programs remain essential in endemic areas. In all situations control programs should be based on half a dozen objectives: provision of early diagnosis, prompt treatment to all people at risk, selective application of sustainable preventive measures, vector control adapted to the local situations, the development of reliable information on infection risk and assessment of living conditions of concerned populations.Malaria is a complex disease but it is a curable and preventable one.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Question 27-40:
The reading passage on Malaria has eight paragraphs (A–H)
From the list of headings below choose the most suitable headings for paragraphs B – H.
Write the appropriate number (i – xi) in boxes 27 – 33 on your answer sheet.
NB: There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use them all.

Old Remedies Fatality Rates Shifting Demographics Causes Further Problems The Current Situation The Bug and Its Carrier Total Elimination of Malaria Tackling Malaria Today Transmission to Humans and Effects Local African Medicine Malaria Effects on the Community Identification

Paragraph B

Answer: v-The Bug and Its Carrier
Supporting Sentence: Four species of Plasmodium can produce the disease in its various forms: plasmodium falciparum, plasmodium vivax, plasmodium ovale, and plasmodium malaria.
Keyword: Bug, carrier
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, 2^nd sentence
Explanation: The author in the second paragraph describes the types and forms of the disease. In the next line, the passage also states the spreading capacity. Hence, the appropriate heading is “v.”

28. Paragraph C

Answer: viii-Transmission to Humans and Effects
Supporting Sentence: The parasites are then carried by the blood into the victim’s liver where they invade the cells and multiply.
Keyword: Transmission, humans, effects
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, 2^nd sentence
Explanation: The whole paragraph describes how the disease is spread. The time frame of the damage is also mentioned. This section appears to be about how malaria is transmitted to humans and the consequences it has on them. Hence, the appropriate heading is “viii.”

Paragraph D

Answer: vii-Tackling Malaria Today
Supporting Sentence: Malaria is diagnosed by the clinical symptoms and microscopic examination of the blood.
Keyword: Tackling, Malaria
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, 1^st sentence
Explanation: Paragraph D talks about how we can know if someone has malaria. This is sort of tracking by looking at the symptoms. It also talks about the cure. From the phrase ‘cured by anti-malarial drugs’, we can deduce how malaria is tackled today. Hence, the appropriate heading is “vii.”

Paragraph E

Answer: i-Old Remedies
Supporting Sentence: Surprisingly in view of this some ancient treatments were remarkably effective.
Keyword: Old, remedies
Keyword Location: Paragraph E, 2nd line
Explanation: The word "ancient" refers to something that has been around for a long time. It is old and started long back. As a result, it's safe to assume that this text is about traditional cures for ailments like malaria. Hence, the appropriate heading is “i”.

Paragraph F

Answer: x-Malaria Effects on the Community
Supporting Sentence: Malaria has social consequences and is a heavy burden on economic development.
Keyword: Malaria, effects, community
Keyword Location: Paragraph F, 1st line
Explanation: The author in the opening lines of paragraph F mentions that malaria has a social consequence. This passage talks about the effects malaria has on the community. Hence, the appropriate heading is “x.”

Paragraph G

Answer: iii-Shifting Demographics Causes Further Problems
Supporting Sentence: These population movements and intensive urbanization are not always accompanied by adequate development of sanitation and health care.
Keyword: Shifting, demographics, causes, problems
Keyword Location: Paragraph G, 7-8th line
Explanation: The passage also talks about the movement of urbanisation which is not always accompanied by sanitation and health care. The statement indicates movement or shift exacerbates problems. Hence, the appropriate heading is “iii.”

Paragraph H

Answer: xi-Identification
Supporting Sentence: The hope of global eradication of malaria was finally abandoned in 1969 when it was recognized that this was unlikely ever to be achieved.
Keyword: Identification
Keyword Location: Paragraph H, 1st line
Explanation: The word 'recognized' helps us to understand that the disease cannot be eradicated, but control measures can be taken. Hence, the appropriate heading is “xi.”

Questions 34 – 36:
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer of Reading Passage 3 Malaria?
In Boxes 34 – 36 write:

YES if the statement agrees with the writer
NO if the statement doesn’t agree with the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

Ancient Peruvian doctors were famous for their malarial treatment.

Answer: No
Explanation: The author does not state or mentions any such thing in the whole passage. Hence, the answer is not given.

Children are always under great threat from malaria.

Answer: No
Supporting Sentence: Until they have acquired such immunity, children remain highly vulnerable.
Keyword: Children, always, threat, malaria
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, 7th line
Explanation: The passage states that children who have not developed immunity is under isk. It does not mention that all children are under risk. The correct answer is "NO," because the statement contradicts the statement provided in the question.

Poorer people are usually more at risk from malaria.

Answer: Yes
Supporting Sentence: These outbreaks are generally associated with deteriorating social and economic conditions, and the main victims are the underprivileged rural population.
Keyword: Poorer people, more at risk, malaria
Keyword Location: Paragraph G, 3rd line
Explanation: The paragraph confirms that poorer people are typically more vulnerable to malaria. Since the statement and the information agree, the correct answer is "TRUE."

Questions 37 – 40:
Complete the following statements (Questions 37 – 40) with the best ending from the box below (A – H) according to the information in the reading passage Malaria.
Write the appropriate letter (A – H) in boxes 37 – 40 on your answer sheet.
There are more sentence endings (A – H) than questions so you will not need to use them all.

A. ….. have finally been eradicated. B. …. are not always affected by insecticides. C. …..are the results of incompetent doctors. D. ….. are always female. E. ….. have been taken for hundreds of years. F. ….. should be based on several clear goals. G. ….. have resulted in parasitic resistance to treatment. H. ….. are later found again in the bloodstream.

Anopheline mosquitoes…

Answer: B-are not always affected by insecticides.
Supporting Sentence: Their sensitivity to insecticides is also highly variable.
Keyword: Anopheline, mosquitoes
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, 5th line
Explanation: The author tells us that chemicals such as Insecticides are designed to kill different types of insects. The passage also states that the sensitivity of anopheline mosquitoes to these insecticides is highly variable. This that they are not always affected by these insecticides. Hence, the correct answer is "B."

Parasites located in victims’ livers…

Answer: H-are later found again in the bloodstream
Supporting Sentence: Parasites are then carried by the blood into the victim’s liver where they invade the cells and multiply. After nine to sixteen days they return to the blood and penetrate the red cells where they multiply again, progressively breaking down the red cells.
Keyword: Parasites, located, victims’ livers
Keyword Location: Paragraph C, 2nd line
Explanation: The line confirms that parasites are carried or located in victims' livers before being found in the bloodstream. Hence, the correct answer is "H."

Unfinished courses of antimalarial drugs…

Answer: E-have been taken for hundreds of years
Supporting Sentence: Although people were unaware of the origin of malaria, and mode of transmission, protective measures against the mosquito have been used for many hundreds of years.
Keyword: Unfinished, courses, antimalarial drugs
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, 1-3rd line
Explanation: The supporting sentence denotes that unfinished antimalarial drug courses have been used or taken for hundreds of years. As a result, the correct answer is "E."

Control programs to protect people from malaria

Answer: G-have resulted in parasitic resistance to treatment
Supporting Sentence: In certain regions, however, the parasites have developed resistance to certain antimalarial drugs.
Keyword: Control programs, protect people, malaria
Keyword Location: Paragraph D, 3-4th line
Explanation: Developing resistance means something that one refuses to accept or is not affected by. The term 'developed resistance' confirms that malaria control programs have resulted in parasitic resistance to treatment. As a result, the correct answer is "G."

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