Answer: The overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
Context: "...doctors, often pressured by patients or practicing defensive medicine, prescribe antibiotics..." (or growth )
The text explicitly states that bacteria utilize horizontal gene transfer to share resistance genes directly with neighboring organisms, "even across different species."
: Paragraph E explicitly mentions that "the World Bank warns that AMR could cause a global economic contraction comparable to the 2008 financial crisis."
: Simple actions like hand washing are cited as having a positive effect on preventing spread. Inappropriate Use : Antibiotics are often incorrectly used to treat viruses. Cost vs. Profit Answer: The overuse and misuse of antibiotics
Physicians frequently prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for viral infections, such as influenza or the common cold, against which the drugs are entirely ineffective.
The passage above is accompanied by a set of 13 questions, typical of an IELTS Academic Reading test. Below are the complete , followed by detailed answer explanations.
( Source: IELTS Reading Passage - "The Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance" by BBC)
Note: The following is an analysis based on common IELTS-style text structures regarding this topic. Typical Passage Themes The history of penicillin and the initial optimism. The accelerated rise of resistance (e.g., MRSA). The lack of new antibiotics in the R&D pipeline. Cost vs
Scientists are actively researching alternatives to traditional antibiotics. These include phage therapy (using viruses that target and destroy specific bacteria), vaccines to prevent infections before they start, and gene-editing technologies like CRISPR to disable resistance mechanisms within bacterial DNA. Conclusion
Found in the fourth paragraph: "These drugs enter the human food chain and local water supplies." 9. Economic incentives
Addressing the global threat of antibiotic resistance requires a coordinated, multi-faceted strategy known as the "One Health" approach, which recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected.
Inadequate sanitation and hygiene in hospitals and communities facilitate the spread of resistant bacteria. Without proper infection prevention, bacteria can easily transmit from person to person. 3. The Consequences: A Post-Antibiotic Era Below are the complete , followed by detailed
For those preparing for the IELTS reading exam, here are some verified answers related to the topic of antibiotic resistance:
The growing global threat of antibiotic resistance requires immediate, coordinated action. Addressing this issue requires: of antibiotic prescriptions. Reduction of antibiotic use in agriculture.
Better hygiene in hospitals and communities to prevent the spread of infections.
: Paragraph E provides the figures, stating that deaths are "projected to skyrocket to ten million per year by mid-century" alongside devastating global financial consequences.