The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers Top ((top)) May 2026

| 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) | BAND SCORE ESTIMATOR | Number Correct | IELTS Reading Band Score (Academic) | | :--- | :--- | | 13/13 | 9.0 | | 11–12 | 7.5 – 8.0 | | 9–10 | 6.5 – 7.0 | | 7–8 | 5.5 – 6.0 | | 5–6 | 4.5 – 5.0 | KEY VOCABULARY FROM THE PASSAGE (High-frequency IELTS words) | Word | Meaning | | :--- | :--- | | Waning | Becoming weaker or smaller | | Rampant | Uncontrolled, widespread | | Reservoir | A large supply or source | | Insidious | Gradual, subtle, but harmful | | Stagnation | Lack of activity or development | | Incentives | Motivations or rewards | | Sparing | Using little of something | | Interconnectedness | Mutual connection between things | This article serves both as a reading comprehension exercise and a source of accurate vocabulary and content for candidates preparing for the IELTS exam, specifically targeting the high-frequency theme of global health threats. Use the answer key to self-correct and the vocabulary list to build your academic word bank.

This article is designed to mimic the structure, vocabulary, and question types found in the IELTS Reading section (Academic Module). It includes a main passage, question types (True/False/Not Given, Summary Completion, and Short Answer), and a detailed answer key. Passage Title: The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance Reading Time: 20 minutes THE PASSAGE The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 ushered in the golden age of antibiotics. For the first time in human history, bacterial infections that were once death sentences—such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and sepsis—became manageable, curable conditions. However, just over nine decades later, this medical miracle is waning. The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), commonly known as antibiotic resistance, is now recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity. | Question | Answer | Explanation (Paragraph reference)

Compounding this crisis is the stagnation of the antibiotic pipeline. The ‘golden age’ of antibiotic discovery ended decades ago. Large pharmaceutical companies have largely abandoned antibiotic research due to poor financial incentives. A new cancer drug can be sold for thousands of dollars per dose and taken for months; a new antibiotic, by contrast, must be used sparingly to prevent resistance, and for short durations, making it far less profitable. Consequently, only two new classes of antibiotics have reached the market in the last 50 years. Even when new drugs are developed, resistant strains often emerge within a few years of their introduction. (Para 2) | | 3 | TRUE |