English Quiz 2017 – Comprehension Test – Set 14 | Topic – Zika Virus

A study published last week in
the journal Lancet bracketed India among the countries most vulnerable to the dreaded Zika virus.
The authors, who sought to predict the next possible destination of Zika, based
their conclusions on an analysis of travel, climate and mosquito patterns in
Asia and Africa. Their findings are startling. If they are to be believed, at
least 2.6 billion people in the two continents could be at risk of contracting
the infection.

Fortunately, the virus hasn’t yet
reached our shores. Nonetheless, there is no denying the looming threat. Though
first detected in 1947, Zika wasn’t considered a major threat until it surfaced
in Brazil last year. Transmitted mainly through mosquitoes, as also intercourse
and blood transfusion, it can lead to severe birth defects when pregnant women
are infected. Since its outbreak in Brazil, Zika has spread rapidly to at least
70 countries, prompting the World Health Organisation to declare it a global
emergency. More recently, it has infected over 100 people, including several
Indians, in Singapore. Sadly, not much is known about the virus and neither is
a vaccine available. Its symptoms are mild and experts have no idea if some
have immunity to it and if so, to what extent.

Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that
carries the virus, is thriving in
India. So, complacency would be
fatal. The authorities concerned should stress more on basics like clean
surroundings. With rains still lashing parts of the country, it is imperative
that breeding grounds of this particular mosquito are eliminated. According to
experts, once the virus starts to spread locally via mosquitoes, it can be very
difficult to eradicate it. The government would be well advised to act now, by
giving wide publicity to precautionary measures.
Though it is difficult to detect Zika symptoms, screening at airports must be
made mandatory and hospitals equipped to
quarantine and treat patients from abroad.

1. According to the passage, why is there a looming threat of Zika Virus over India?

i. The number of travelers to India from the effected countries is more.

ii. India is not a hygienic country.

iii. Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that carries the virus, is thriving in India.

iv. It comes along with the HIV virus which is prevalent in India.

a) Only (iii)

b) (i) & (iii)

c) (iv)& (iii)

d) (ii)& (iii)

e) All of the above.

2. What steps should be taken to mitigate the Zika virus?

a) Stop citizens from visiting the 70 effected countries.

b) Screening at airports must be made mandatory and hospitals equipped to quarantine and treat patients from abroad.

c) Declare a state of emergency in the country.

d) Ensuring a scheme to tackle the disease.

e) Provide free treatment to the patients from poor backgrounds.

3. How is the Zika virus mainly spread?

i. Sexual intercourse.

ii. Blood transfusion.

iii. Mosquitoes.

a) (i)

b) (iii)& (i)

c) (ii)

d) (iii) & (ii)

e) (i) (ii) (iii)

4. What is the tone of the passage?

a) Informative

b) Clinical.

c) Colloquial.

d) Critical.

e) Eulogistic.

Choose the word/phrase which is similar in meaning to the word/phrase printed in bold in the passage.

5.  Vulnerable

a) Unguarded.

b) Susceptible.

c) Secure.

d) Jeopardous.

e) Fatal

6. Equipped.

a) Provided.

b) Utilised.

c) Adequate.

d) Capable.

e) Inadequate.

7. Complacency.

a) Luxury

b) Peace

c) Justice

d) Carelessness.

e) Amusement.

Choose the word/phrase which is opposite in meaning to the word/phrase printed in bold in the passage.

8. Thriving

a) Growing

b) Abundance.

c) Meager

d) Deficient.

e) Inadequate.

9. Precautionary.

a) Neglect.

b) Careful.

c) Circumspection.

d) Solicitude

e) Hankering

10. The journal Lancet listed countries on the basis of which measures for being in the vulnerable zone?

a) Sports a country plays.

b) The disease outbreak in recent years.

c) List published by WHO

d) Travel, climate and mosquito patterns

e) None of the above.

Answers:

1. b)
2. b)
3. e)
4. a)
5. b)
6. a)
7. d)
8. d)
9. a)
10. d)