Discussion Text

There are differences of opinions on the Avian Flu. Some said this disease may claim 150 million deaths but there are others who said current alarm on avian flu is unwarranted as there is no proof of spreading between humans.

According to United Nation's chief coordinator on bird flu said 150 million or more could die from the disease, if a pandemic strike. One of the frightening issues for a human flu pandemic arising from avian influenza is its unpredictability.

It is difficult to estimate the death toll should H5N1 virus mutates into a form. Which can be easily transmitted between human. It is not possible to predict whether a pandemic would occur once or it would repeat. However, an epidemiologist recommended that Government should take every possible precaution the threat of bird flu, seriously.

Contrary to all dire talks about avian flu pandemic coming, an Ecologist dismissed the current panic as unsubstantiated and guess work.

Ecologists commented that H5N 1 virus still remains a bird virus and has no scientific evidences of human‑to‑human transmission. They said there are billions of people across Asia which only 118 are reported being affected by avian flu. So, how do they calculate to show that 150 million or more deaths will come from avian flu. The global panic, according to the Ecologist, is the result of “scare tactics" created by politicians, medical officers, and the media.

It is premature to predict the outcome of avian flu. Health scientist could confirm the possibility of human‑to‑human transmission. The advice is to keep calm and stay alert because if you do, you will weaken your resistance and reduce your immune system.

What does the text discuss?

• Controversies over the Avian Flu

• Unpredictability of of Avian Flu

• Negative effect of Avian Flu

• Precaution against Avian Flu

• The outcome of Avian Flu

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

There are differences of opinions on the Avian Flu. Some said this disease may claim 150 million deaths but there are others who said current alarm on avian flu is unwarranted as there is no proof of spreading between humans.

According to United Nation's chief coordinator on bird flu said 150 million or more could die from the disease, if a pandemic strike. One of the frightening issues for a human flu pandemic arising from avian influenza is its unpredictability.

It is difficult to estimate the death toll should H5N1 virus mutates into a form. Which can be easily transmitted between human. It is not possible to predict whether a pandemic would occur once or it would repeat. However, an epidemiologist recommended that Government should take every possible precaution the threat of bird flu, seriously.

Contrary to all dire talks about avian flu pandemic coming, an Ecologist dismissed the current panic as unsubstantiated and guess work.

Ecologists commented that H5N 1 virus still remains a bird virus and has no scientific evidences of human‑to‑human transmission. They said there are billions of people across Asia which only 118 are reported being affected by avian flu. So, how do they calculate to show that 150 million or more deaths will come from avian flu. The global panic, according to the Ecologist, is the result of “scare tactics" created by politicians, medical officers, and the media.

What is the main idea of the fifth paragraph?

• Asian people suffered from avian flu

• Ecologist remind us to be careful

• H5N 1 virus is bird virus.

• Politicians, medical officers are panic

• H5N 1 is evidence of human virus

There are differences of opinions on the Avian Flu. Some said this disease may claim 150 million deaths but there are others who said current alarm on avian flu is unwarranted as there is no proof of spreading between humans.

According to United Nation's chief coordinator on bird flu said 150 million or more could die from the disease, if a pandemic strike. One of the frightening issues for a human flu pandemic arising from avian influenza is its unpredictability.

It is difficult to estimate the death toll should H5N1 virus mutates into a form. Which can be easily transmitted between human. It is not possible to predict whether a pandemic would occur once or it would repeat. However, an epidemiologist recommended that Government should take every possible precaution the threat of bird flu, seriously.

Contrary to all dire talks about avian flu pandemic coming, an Ecologist dismissed the current panic as unsubstantiated and guess work.

Ecologists commented that H5N 1 virus still remains a bird virus and has no scientific evidences of human‑to‑human transmission. They said there are billions of people across Asia which only 118 are reported being affected by avian flu. So, how do they calculate to show that 150 million or more deaths will come from avian flu. The global panic, according to the Ecologist, is the result of “scare tactics" created by politicians, medical officers, and the media.

It is premature to predict the outcome of avian flu. Health scientist could confirm the possibility of human‑to‑human transmission. The advice is to keep calm and stay alert because if you do, you will weaken your resistance and reduce your immune system.

Why does Avian Flu become a frightening issue?

• H5N1 is a human virus

• It kills 150 million people

• Avian Flu is unpredictable.

• Avian flu is not curable.

• It causes global panic.

“...a pandemic would occur once or it would repeat.” (paragraph 3)

Which word which DOES NOT have the same meaning as the underlined word?

• Spread

• Save

• Hit

• Strike

• Take place

Ecologists commented that H5N 1 virus still remains a bird virus and has no scientific evidences of human‑to‑human transmission. They said there are billions of people across Asia which only 118 are reported being affected by avian flu. So, how do they calculate to show that 150 million or more deaths will come from avian flu. The global panic, according to the Ecologist, is the result of “scare tactics" created by politicians, medical officers, and the media.

The underlined word refers to ....

• Human

• Scare tactics

• ecologists

• Bird viruses

• Medical officers

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4

CCSS.L.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

Cancer is a very dangerous disease, which can affect humans, animal and plants. According to the American Cancer Society, 7,6 million people died from cancer in the world during 2007. Many researchers think that the risk of cancer can be minimized. On the other hand, there are some opinions that it cannot be minimized.

Research carried out by Harvard University showed one third of the seven million cancer deaths in the world could have been avoided if the victims had eaten sufficient fruit and vegetables, refrained from smoking, consumed less salt, sugar and oil, done more exercises, cut down on red meat consumption and watched their weight. Overindulgence in unhealthy habits is the key factor for cancers.

However, some doctors say cancer is a multi-factor disease. It’s a combination of environmental factors and family history. There is no clear definition to pinpoint there exact risk factor. There is no guarantee that a person who rigidly follows good health procedure will not suffer from cancer or vice versa.

This is a very subjective issue. Therefore people who totally ignore the healthy are advised to give up or at least reduce their unhealthy habits before it’s too late. Following a healthy lifestyle by occasionally eating less red meat, deep fried food or ice cream is not going to hurt them. To prevent is better than to cure, so go for a clinical check up regularly. Consult a doctor immediately. If cancer is detected earlier, there will be a better chance of cure.

The purpose of the text is ….

• to explain the process cancer disease

• to inform the reader about cancer disease.

• to describe the dangerous disease

• to present the whole explanation the cancer disease.

• to present two points of view about cancer disease

Cancer is a very dangerous disease, which can affect humans, animal and plants. According to the American Cancer Society, 7,6 million people died from cancer in the world during 2007. Many researchers think that the risk of cancer can be minimized. On the other hand, there are some opinions that it cannot be minimized.

Research carried out by Harvard University showed one third of the seven million cancer deaths in the world could have been avoided if the victims had eaten sufficient fruit and vegetables, refrained from smoking, consumed less salt, sugar and oil, done more exercises, cut down on red meat consumption and watched their weight. Overindulgence in unhealthy habits is the key factor for cancers.

However, some doctors say cancer is a multi-factor disease. It’s a combination of environmental factors and family history. There is no clear definition to pinpoint there exact risk factor. There is no guarantee that a person who rigidly follows good health procedure will not suffer from cancer or vice versa.

This is a very subjective issue. Therefore people who totally ignore the healthy are advised to give up or at least reduce their unhealthy habits before it’s too late. Following a healthy lifestyle by occasionally eating less red meat, deep fried food or ice cream is not going to hurt them. To prevent is better than to cure, so go for a clinical check up regularly. Consult a doctor immediately. If cancer is detected earlier, there will be a better chance of cure.

Which of the statements below is not true according to the text?

• Overindulgence in unhealthy habits is the key factors for cancers

• Too much smoking, eating and no exercise will cause cancers

• It is guarantee that a person will not suffer from cancers if he rigidly follows good health procedure

• To prevent is better than to cure

• One third of the 7 million cancer deaths in the world could have been avoided

Everywhere you go nowadays, you see people using mobile phones. From school children to the people, you see them talking in the supermarket, on trains, in the street, everywhere!

So what are the advantages of mobile phones?

First of all, they are very convenient because you can phone from nearly everywhere. Another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situations.

For example, if you are alone in your car and it breaks down, you can get help quickly. In addition, you can also use mobile to text your friends or connect to the net.

However, there are disadvantages such as the cost. Mobile phone calls cost more than normal calls. Furthermore, it can be annoying if you are on the train or a bus, and you have to listen to someone else’s boring conversation. It happens because people can contact you anywhere, at anytime, unless you switch your phone off!

In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I feel mobile phones are a good thing because they give us more freedom and make communication easier.

What the text is about?

• Mobile phone calls cost

• How people use their mobile phone

• How people communicate nowadays

• The advantages and disadvantages of having mobile phones

• The reasons why people have a mobile phone

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

“Another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situations.

The similar meaning of the underlined word is . . .

• busy

• spare

• critical

• important

• impossible

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

Everywhere you go nowadays, you see people using mobile phones. From school children to the people, you see them talking in the supermarket, on trains, in the street, everywhere!

So what are the advantages of mobile phones?

First of all, they are very convenient because you can phone from nearly everywhere. Another advantage is that they are really useful in emergency situations.

For example, if you are alone in your car and it breaks down, you can get help quickly. In addition, you can also use mobile to text your friends or connect to the net.

However, there are disadvantages such as the cost. Mobile phone calls cost more than normal calls. Furthermore, it can be annoying if you are on the train or a bus, and you have to listen to someone else’s boring conversation. It happens because people can contact you anywhere, at anytime, unless you switch your phone off!

In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I feel mobile phones are a good thing because they give us more freedom and make communication easier.

Why do people prefer using mobile phones to home based telephones?

• They can afford it

• Mobile phones are cheap

• They can use it almost everywhere

• It has cheaper call costs than the normal ones

• Mobile phones let them free to talk in public places