In which countries is regulatory oversight often weak, allowing antibiotics to be sold without prescription?
The economic implications of this biological threat are catastrophic. When first-line antibiotics fail, doctors must resort to second- or third-line drugs. These alternative medications are frequently significantly more expensive, require longer hospital stays, and carry a higher risk of severe side effects. For example, treating multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis requires months of painful intravenous therapy rather than a simple course of oral pills. The financial strain on global healthcare systems is immense, and the loss of labor productivity threatens to destabilize fragile economies.
While the natural biological mutation of bacteria is a slow process, human activity has rapidly escalated the crisis. In many parts of the world, antibiotics are readily available over the counter without a prescription, leading to self-medication and improper dosing. Furthermore, the agricultural sector is a major driver of resistance. Farmers frequently administer antibiotics to livestock not only to treat illness but also to promote growth and prevent disease in crowded conditions. This sub-therapeutic usage creates a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to humans via the food chain or through environmental contamination.
Paragraphs C and D rely heavily on words like catalyst , furthermore , and extends far beyond . Recognizing these transitions helps you solve sentence completion questions regarding the root causes of resistance. In which countries is regulatory oversight often weak,
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Bacteria are incredibly resilient, adaptive organisms. When exposed to an antibiotic, the weakest bacteria are eliminated, but those with genetic mutations that allow them to survive endure. These surviving "superbugs" multiply and pass on their resistant traits to their offspring. More alarming still is a process called horizontal gene transfer, where bacteria share resistance genes directly with neighboring microbes of entirely different species. What was once a rare evolutionary anomaly has now become a standard survival mechanism for bacteria worldwide. Paragraph C
| Question | Answer | Explanation (Paragraph reference) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | NOT GIVEN | The passage mentions Fleming’s discovery but does not state that he predicted resistance. This information is absent. (Para 1) | | 2 | FALSE | The passage states: “an estimated 70-80% of all antibiotics sold globally are used in livestock and aquaculture” – not human medicine. (Para 2) | | 3 | TRUE | The text says: “doctors are forced to revert to ‘last-resort’ antibiotics like colistin” – implying it is used when others fail. (Para 3) | | 4 | NOT GIVEN | The passage states antibiotics are less profitable, but it does not say cancer is “more common.” Profit motive is discussed, not prevalence. (Para 4) | | 5 | TRUE | The passage explicitly states: “Countries like the United Kingdom have introduced ‘subscription’ models.” (Para 5) | | 6 | viral infections | Direct quote: “antibiotics are prescribed for viral infections like the common cold.” (Para 2) | | 7 | livestock | Quote: “used in livestock and aquaculture.” (Para 2) | | 8 | second- or third-line | Quote: “may require second- or third-line drugs.” (Para 3) | | 9 | 10 million | Quote: “to 10 million deaths per year by 2050.” (Para 3) | | 10 | One Health | Quote: “a coordinated ‘One Health’ approach.” (Para 5) | | 11 | hygiene | Quote: “improving infection prevention through vaccination and hygiene.” (Para 5) | | 12 | subscription | Quote: “introduced ‘subscription’ models.” (Para 5) | | 13 | low- and middle-income | Quote: “particularly in low- and middle-income countries.” (Para 6) | While the natural biological mutation of bacteria is
For IELTS test-takers, understanding the topic of antibiotic resistance is essential, as it is a common theme in IELTS reading passages. Here are some tips and sample answers to help you prepare:
The text states it was a "chance discovery" (accidental), which directly contradicts the idea that he "intentionally engineered" it.
Drives resistance when patients stop taking prescribed medication prior to full eradication of the pathogen. acting as an evolutionary training ground.
Complete the summary below using words from the box.
What is the result of bacteria developing antibiotic resistance?
Mention of agricultural practices that contribute to the proliferation of superbugs.
Paragraph D explains that the agricultural sector feeds animals "low doses of antibiotics" to promote growth, acting as an evolutionary training ground.