I contain multitudes- Reading Answers Explanations- CAM 16
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named ‘I contain multitudes’ which is from the Cambridge 16 book. The Questions that have been asked are MCQs, Summary Blanks and Yes/ No/Not Given. You will find the Locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords (highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 2: I contain multitudes
| Question | Answer |
| 14 | D |
| 15 | C |
| 16 | A |
| 17 | G |
| 18 | B |
| 19 | H |
| 20 | E |
| 21 | YES |
| 22 | NO |
| 23 | NOT GIVEN |
| 24 | YES |
| 25 | NOT GIVEN |
| 26 | NO |
Questions 14-16
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 14-16 on your answer sheet.
14 What point does the writer make about microbes in the first paragraph?
A They adapt quickly to their environment.
B The risk they pose has been exaggerated.
C They are more plentiful in animal life than plant life.
D They will continue to exist for longer than the human race.
Location: 1st paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the first line of the paragraph as it has been written that ‘microbes, most of them bacteria, have populated this planet….they will outlive us’. Here, ‘outlive us’ means they will continue to exist for longer than the human race.
Answer: D
15 In the second paragraph, the writer is impressed by the fact that
A each species tends to have vastly different microbes.
B some parts of the body contain relatively few microbes.
C the average individual has more microbial cells than human ones.
D scientists have limited understanding of how microbial cells behave.
Location: 2nd paragraph (second line)
Explanation: The main keyword ‘impressed’ has been written as ‘amazing…’ in the passage. The writer says, ‘the number of human cells in the average person is about 30 trillion, the number of microbial ones is higher…This makes the answer very clear.
Answer: C
16 What is the writer doing in the fifth paragraph?
A explaining how a discovery was made
B comparing scientists’ theories about microbes
C describing confusion among scientists
D giving details of how microbes cause disease
Location: 5th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the third line of the paragraph.The writer says, ‘using microscopes of his own design that could magnify up to 270 times, he examined a drop of water…found tiny creatures he called ‘animalcules’. Here, writer tells about the discovery of animalcules. Thus, the answer is A.
Answer: A
I contain multitudes- Reading Answers Explanations- CAM 16
Questions 17-20
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-H, below.
Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 17-20 on your answer sheet.
We should be more tolerant of microbes
Yong’s book argues that we should be more tolerant of microbes. Many have a beneficial effect, and only a relatively small number lead to 17 ………………….
Location: 6th paragraph
Explanation: Firstly, The main keyword ‘Yong’s book’ is present exactly in the first line of the passage. Secondly, the writer says, ‘fewer than one hundred species bring disease…’ Here, fewer =small number. Moreover, ‘many have a beneficial effect’ has been paraphrased as ‘play a vital role in maintaining our health…’thus the answer is ‘illness’
Answer: G
And although it is misleading to think of microbes as ‘friendly’, we should also stop thinking of them as the enemy. In fact, we should accept that our relationship with microbes is one based on 18 ………………….
Location: 6th paragraph
Explanation: The main keywords ‘friendly’ and ‘enemy’ has been written as ‘friends or foes’ in the second last line of the paragraph. ‘We should accept’ is written as ‘we should realise…’ The writer says, ‘symbiotic relationship that can be mutually beneficial…’Here, symbiotic and partnership are synonyms. Therefore, the answer is ‘B’.
Answer: B
New research shows that microbes have numerous benefits for humans. Amongst other things, they aid digestion, remove poisons, produce vitamins and may even help reduce obesity. However, there is a growing problem. Our poor 19 …………………,
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second last line of the paragraph as it has been written that ‘overuse of antibiotics and our unhealthy, low fibre diets…’Here, this give reference to poor diet…’thus the answer is ‘nutrition as diet= nutrition. Therefore, ‘H’ will come.
Answer: H
Our overuse of antibiotics and our excessive focus on 20 ………………… are upsetting the bacterial balance and may be contributing to the huge increase in allergies and immune system problems.
Location: 7th paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is again in the second last line of the paragraph. The main keyword ‘overuse of antibiotics…’ is present same it is in the paragraph. Moreover, ‘excessive focus on…’ has been paraphrased as ‘obsession with hygiene…’Here hygiene means cleanliness.
Answer: E
A solution B partnership C destruction
D exaggeration E cleanliness F regulations
G illness H nutrition
Questions 21-26
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 2?
In boxes 21-26 on your answer sheet, write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
21 It is possible that using antibacterial products in the home fails to have the desired effect.
Location: 8th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘antibacterial products’ helps to locate the answer in the second line of the paragraph. ‘There are studies indicating excessive use of…actually destroys the microbes that normally keep the more dangerous germs at bay…’ This line makes it very clear that excessive usage of these products may have the negative effect. Thus, question statement is same as passage statement. So, the answer is ‘Yes’.
Answer: Yes
22 It is a good idea to ensure that children come into contact with as few bacteria as possible.
Location: 8th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last line of the paragraph and ‘come into contact’ has been written as been written as ‘early exposure…’but the question statement contradicts with the passage statement as ‘few bacteria as possible…’ is opposite to ‘diverse range of bacteria’ thus, the answer is easy to understand. Thus, the answer is No.
Answer: No
23 Yong’s book contains more case studies than are necessary.
Location: 9th paragraph (Last paragraph)
Explanation: Though the main keyword ‘Yong’s book’ is there in the first line of the paragraph but there is no information about the number of case studies in Yong’s book. Thus, no information available. Hence, the is clear.
Answer: Not Given
24 The case study about bacteria that prevent squid from being attacked may have limited appeal.
Location: 9th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘squid’ has been written exactly in the passage that helps to locate the answer in the second line of the passage. ‘Limited appeal’ has been paraphrased as ‘less appealing case studies…’ Thus, the question statement is same as passage statement. Therefore, the answer is ‘Yes’.
Answer: Yes
25 Efforts to control dengue fever have been surprisingly successful
Location: 9th paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘dengue fever’ is present as it is in the middle line of the passage. The line starts, ‘Already, in an attempt to…’There is no information whether the efforts to control dengue fever have been successful or not. Thus, no information available. Hence, the answer is clear.
Answer: Not Given
26 Microbes that reduce the risk of infection have already been put inside the walls of some hospital wards.
Location: 9th paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second last line of the paragraph. The information in the question is opposite to the passage statement as it has been written that ‘In the future, our ability to manipulate microbes means we could construct buildings with useful microbes built in to their walls to fight off infections…’This means they are not already put inside the walls…’ Therefore, the answer is ‘NO’.
Answer: No
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