Reading Practice - Y2 (2015) – Ms.

Cẩm

Do this exercise AFTER you HAVE FINISHED the chapter CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM in your
course material.

Read the following passages and answer the questions:

Passage A:

The sudden blocking of an artery by a clot is referred to as an embolism. Thrombi as well as

other foreign materials, such as fat, air and infective material can cause emboli. (embol/o refers to an
embolus, e.g. as in embolectomy.)

The development of enzymes that can dissolve blood clots in situ has led to the development
of thrombolytic therapies. For example, the drug streptokinase, extracted from bacteria, can be injected
into the coronary vessels to lyse a clot and thereby restore blood in the coronary system. The
thrombolytic drugs streptokinase, altepase and anistreplase have all been shown to reduce mortality
when given by the intravenous route following a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction).

Question 1

Embolism is ______________.

o similar to embolectomy
o caused by “embol/o”.
o formed by a clot
o one of the foreign bodies

Question 2

Regarding enzymes, what does the first paragraph mention?

o They can dissolve in blood

o They are the reason for a type of treatment
o They are used in thrombolytic therapies
o They develop so quickly

Question 3

What are streptokinase, altepase and anistreplase?

o They are used for patients with heart attacks

o These drugs help to prevent disability
o These drugs are taken orally
o They are drugs of all blood diseases
Passage B:

The term atheroma means a porridge-like tumour and is used to indicate the presence of fatty
plaques in the lining of arteries. Atheroma is a common disorder of blood vessels and the presence of
such deposits is often related to aspects of one’s lifestyle such as smoking, lack of exercise and diets
rich in certain types of fat. Atheroma in coronary arteries increases the chance of their becoming
blocked, thus predisposing the heart to myocardial infarction.

Atherosclerosis is a common form of arteriosclerosis that results from the presence of atheroma
and calcification in vessel walls. Contributing factors to the development of this condition include
advanced age, diabetes, high-fat and high-cholesterol diets, hypertension and smoking.

Question 4

What causes atheroma?

o Deposits in the lining of arteries

o A porridge-like tumour
o Unhealthy lifestyles
o Fatty plaques on the inner walls of arteries

Question 5

What does the word “predisposing” in bold probably mean?

o causing
o preventing
o blocking
o increasing

Question 6

Which does NOT contribute to atherosclerosis?

o Aging
o Cigarette smoke
o Abnormally low blood pressure
o Calcification
Passage C:

A sphygmomanometer is an instrument that uses a manometer to measure blood measure. Two

pressures are measured: the systolic pressure when the ventricles of the heart are forcing blood into the
circulation, and the diastolic pressure which is the pressure within the vessels when the heart is dilating
and refilling.

The sphygmomanometer can be used to detect hypertension, i.e. a persistently high arterial
blood pressure, or hypotension, an abnormally low blood pressure. Both of these conditions have a
variety of causes.

The stethoscope is used in conjunction with the sphygmomanometer to listen to the sounds
made by blood flowing through the brachial artery when recording the blood pressure.

Questions 7-10:

Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

The pressure in which blood is forced into circulation is called diastolic pressure. _____

The diastolic pressure happens when the heart is dilating and refilling. _____

Hypotension means low blood pressure. _____

A sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope can be used together to measure the blood pressure. _____
Good Health – Ms. Hằng

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Good Health

Most people would agree with the definition of

good health as being a state where you are free
from sickness. Despite this, there are many different
opinions about how a person can actually have good
health. People used to only think of their health when they
were sick. But these days more and more people are
taking measures to make sure that they don't get sick in
the first place. In this article I will describe a few of the
most common things that you can do to stay healthy.

One of the best things you can do for your body is exercise. But how much is enough? Not
everyone agrees on exactly how much people should exercise each day. Some people think that doing
simple things like cleaning the house are helpful. Other people do heavy exercise everyday such as
running or swimming. One thing experts do agree on is that any kind of exercise is good for you.

Along with exercise, having a healthy diet can help promote good health. Foods like vegetables
and fruits should be eaten several times each day. It is also important to eat foods high in fiber such as
beans, grains, fruit and vegetables. Fiber helps your body to digest the food you eat. It also helps your
body in other ways such as decreasing the chance of getting some cancers, heart disease and diabetes.
Avoiding foods with a lot of sugar, salt and fat is a good idea. Eating these kinds of foods can lead to a
variety of health problems. The main one being obesity. Obesity means having so much fat on your
body that you are risking your health.

In today’s modern world, we all have some level of stress in our life. Different things cause
stress for different people. Money problems, work and relationships with other people can all cause
stress. It can also be caused by good things like getting married or moving into a new house. The
important thing to remember is that you can never completely remove stress from your life. It will
always be with you. Instead of trying to remove stress, people need to be aware of what causes them
stress and find ways to reduce the impact that stress has on their lives.

There are several ways to fight against stress in your life. Exercise and sports are a great way
to reduce stress. Other activities like Tai Chi, yoga or taking a walk also help reduce stress. Changing
the way you think can also reduce stress. Try living for now, and don't worry about the future.

The things I’ve just mentioned are only some of the ways that people can have good health.
Doing these simple things can help you to have a better life now and will lead to a longer and happier
life in the future.
Question 1

What is the main idea of the text?

o Knowing the difference between good health and bad health is important.
o Exercising, a healthy diet and reducing stress lead to a healthy life
o People all over the world have different ideas of what “good health” means.

Question 2

Tai Chi, Yoga and taking a walk are examples of _________.

o how we live now.

o ways to reduce stress.
o changing how you think

Question 3

Beans, grains, fruit and vegetables are examples of __________.

o foods that can cause obesity

o foods you should eat several times a day
o foods with fiber

Question 4

What is one cause of obesity?

o Foods high in fiber

o Unhealthy foods
o A lot of exercise

Question 5

The word “It” in bold refers to:

o World
o Work
o Stress

Question 6

In which order were these ideas presented?

o Exercise, diet, stress

o Diet, stress, exercise
o Stress, diet, exercise

Questions 7-9:

Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

Everyone agrees on how to have good health. _____

You must do difficult exercise for a long time everyday to be healthy. _____

To be healthy people have to stop all stress in their life. _____

Reading test – Ms. Trân

Read the following passage and fill in the blanks using the given words:

When you catch a cold, you tend to feel miserable. You are tired of sneezing and blowing your
nose ___1___ the time. When someone in your house has a cold, you are ___2___ to get it too. This is
because the cold virus ___3___ easily. ___4___ a person who has a cold blows his nose, his ___5___
could carry the cold virus. This virus is then deposited ___6___ whatever he touches such as doorknobs,
telephone handles ___7___ shower handles. people who also touch the surfaces of ___8___ things and
then clean their nose would obtain the virus as well. To ___9___ your cold from spreading, here is a
piece of good ___10___ : wash your hands with soap and water frequently ___11___ that the cold virus
would have ___12___ chance to survive.

There is no actual ___13___ for the common cold. The medicine that you take makes you feel
___14___ but it cannot ___15___ rid of the cold virus completely. Most people tend to recover
___16___ colds within a week. When you have a cold, the best thing to do is to get ___17___ of rest.
You should go to bed early and not over exert ___18___ .Your must also ___19___ more water as fluids
help to cool the throat ___20___ relieve nasal passages.

(Collected material)

__. all __. likely __. spreads __. when __. hands __. on __. or __. these __. prevent
__. advice __. so __. no __. cure __. better __. get __. from __. plenty __. yourself
__. drink __. and

Bài Tập Reading Y2 – Mr. Thành

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Glands manufacture and secrete necessary substances. Exocrine glands secrete their products
through ducts, but endocrine glands, or ductless glands, release their products directly into the
bloodstream.

One important endocrine gland is the thyroid gland. It is in the neck and has two lobes, one on
each side of the windpipe. The thyroid gland collects iodine from the blood and produces thyroxine, an
important hormone, which it stores in an inactive form. When thyroxine is needed by the body, the
thyroid gland excretes it directly into the bloodstream.Thyroxine is combined in the body cells with
other chemicals and affects many functions of the body.

The thyroid gland may be underactive or overactive, resulting in problems. An underactive

thyroid causes hypothyroidism, while an overactive one causes hyperthyroidism. The former problem
called myxedema in adults and cretinism in childre n, causes the growth process to slowdown. A cretin's
body and mind do not grow to their full potential. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, results in extreme
nervousness, an increase in heart action, and other problems.

Either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism may result in goiter, or an enlarged thyroid gland. A

goiter will appear when the body is not getting enough iodine. Goiter is less common today, since most
people use iodized salt.

(Collected material)
Question 1

The thyroid gland is called an endocrine gland because it _____________.

o has ducts
o has lobes
o secretes directly into the bloodstream
o is located in the neck

Question 2

The bold word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to:

o Iodine
o Thyroxine
o Thyroid gland
o Blood

Question 3

A cretin is _____________.

o an adult with an underperforming thyroid gland

o a child with hyperthyroidism
o a young person with hypothyroidism
o an extremely irritable child

Question 4

Which of the following is a probable result of myxedema?

o Sluggishness
o Perspiration
o Overproduction of thyroxine
o hyperactivity

Question 5

In paragraph 3, the bold word “former” refers to:

o Hypothyroidism
o Overactive thyroid
o Hyperthyroidism
o Secretion

Question 6

A goiter is ____________.

o a chemical
o an underactive thyroid gland
o a person with myxedema
o a swollen thyroid gland
Question 7

Exocrine and endocrine glands are distinguished from each other by whether they ___________.

o cause myxedema or cretinism

o secrete through ducts or without ducts
o result in an enlarged or shrunken goiter
o cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism

Question 8

In paragraph 1, the word “secrete” is closest in meaning to ___________.

o indiscernible
o absorb
o display
o emit

Question 9

If a thyroid is not working enough, the illness is known as __________.

o excretion
o hyperthyroidism
o hyperactivity
o hypothyroidism

Question 10

The main idea of the passage is ___________.

o secretion with and without glands

o the illnesses of an overactive thyroid gland
o how glands work
o the function and illnesses of the thyroid gland

Question 11

The function of the thyroid gland is described in which paragraph?

o 1
o 2
o 3
o 4
Bài kiểm tra Y2 – Ms. Thủy

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Mr. F, a 48 -year -old male, presented to his GP (General Practitioner) with a painless swelling
in the right axilla. The lump had been present for at least two months before his consultation and he had
not been unduly concerned until he noticed a similar lump in his left axilla that appeared to be increasing
in size. The patient indicated he had a good appetite and denied weight loss. There had been no change
to his bowel and bladder habits and apart from a recent cold and tonsillitis he had not suffered any
infection. He had smoked for 32 years and admitted moderate drinking. The only problem he mentioned
was difficulty in sleeping; sometimes he would wake sweating copiously.

Examination revealed prominent lymph node enlargement in the right and left axillae and
inguinal areas. The largest node was located in the right axilla, approximately 2 cm across. Examination
of the head and neck also revealed enlarged cervical nodes, the largest approximately 1.5cm across. The
nodes were firm, tender and rubbery on palpation.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary examination was normal. He had splenomegaly that was
palpable 3cm below the left costal margin. His tonsils appeared swollen. It was evident from initial
examination that Mr. F was suffering from a generalized lymphadenopathy that did not appear to be
associated with infection.

Mr. F underwent axillary nodal biopsy and his specimen was sent to histopathology.
Examination of the tissue revealed a follicular, small, cleaved cell non - Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
This was followed by a bilateral bone marrow trephine biopsy that demonstrated cells suspicious for
lymphoma similar to those found in the nodes. The lymphocytes forming the tumor were classified as
being of B-cell origin. Computerized tomography (CT) was used to assess nodal enlargement and he
was referred to the oncology department for staging.

Mr. F underwent four cycles of chemotherapy (CHOPS) and since then no disease is evident in
his bone marrow and his lymphadenopathy has regressed.

Questions 1-9:

Find words in the text which mean:

The armpit: __________.

Removal and examination of living tissue: _______________.

Treatment with chemicals i.e. cytotoxic drugs that kill cancer cells: _________________.

Study of tumours/cancers: _________________.

Technique of using X-rays to image a section through the body: _________________.

Enlargement of the spleen: ______________.

Disease of the lymph glands i.e. lymph nodes: ______________.

Study of disease of tissues (here refers to a section of the pathology laboratory): __________________.

Inflammation of the tonsils: ________________.

Reading: More about the lungs and respiratory system

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Breathing patterns are altered when there is infection, disease, blockage, or injury to the
respiratory system. The ability of the lung to accommodate a sufficient intake of air is known as
pulmonary capacity. This is measured in terms of volume. Several types of lung volumes are used to
assess and diagnose the health or illness of the lungs. These include inspiratory volume, functional
residual volume, vital capacity and total capacity. The rate at which the lungs inflate and deflate (the
ventilation rate) can be affected by infection or other disease and by various other stimuli. Factors that
may increase the rate and depth of ventilation include increased or decreased levels of arterial blood
gases, an increase in prolonged pain, and a decrease in blood pressure. Factors that can decrease or
inhibit the rate and depth of ventilation include severe pain causing apnea, decreased body temperature,
increased blood pressure, and increased levels of arterial blood gases.

Health professionals recognize the importance of assessing for and ensuring adequate
oxygenation for health and healing. Any impairment in the respiratory system, particularly the lungs,
adversely affects every other organ and cell of the body. Disease of any part of the lung can affect the
ph balance of the body. The term pH stands for the potential hydrogen in the body. Human blood is
rated at 7.4 on the pH scale. A reading of less than 7 (< 7) indicates an acidic imbalance called acidosis;
while a reading of greater then 7 (> 7) indicates alkalinity.

The respiratory system has its own capacity to protect itself from toxins, viruses, bacteria, and
other disease-causing agents. This is accomplished through the system's ability to secrete mucous. It is
the system's most significant protective mechanism. Mucous traps toxins and attempts to isolate or expel
them. It is then expelled from the body by the process of sneezing and coughing. Phlegm, on the other
hand, is a sticky secretion of mucous that originates only in the lungs. When expelled by a cough, it is
referred to as sputum.

(Excerpt from Medical English Clear & Simple: A Practice-Based Approach to English for ESL
Healthcare Professional)

Question 1

Find a word in the reading text means "changed": __________________________

Question 2

What is "pulmonary capacity"?

o The ability of the lung to expel air out of its capacity

o The ability of the lung to accommodate the extra air volume
o The ability of the lung to have a sufficient intake of air
o The ability of the air to enter the lung

Question 3

Decide whether the statement is true (T) or false (F).

Doctors can use the lung volume to identify some problems of the lung. _____
Question 4

Increased or decreased levels of arterial blood gases can increase the rate and depth of ____________.

Question 5

Match the left to the right:

Decreased body temperature   increases the rate and depth of ventilation

Infection, various stimuli affect   decreases the rate and depth of ventilatio

Decrease in blood pressure   affect how the lungs inflate and deflate

Question 6

Any impairment in the respiratory system affects ______________.

o the pH balance of the body and one particular cell of the body
o the pH balance and one particular organ of the body
o the pH balance and other organs, and cells of the body
o none are correct

Question 7

The term pH stands for __________ __________ in the body. (2 words)

Question 8

Match the left to the right:

pH > 7   human blood

pH = 7.4   alkanility

pH <7   acidosis

Question 9

What helps the lungs to protect from pathogens?

o Mucous
o Sputum
o Phlegm

Question 10

What are inside the lungs?

o The mucous and sputum

o The phlegm and sputum
o The mucous and phlegm
o Mucous, phlegm and sputum
12-minute test

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Diabetes mellitus

W, a 14-year-old boy on holiday in the locality, was brought into Accident and Emergency (A
& E) by his worried parents. Prior to admission he had complained of tiredness, insomnia and his mother
had noticed that despite a good appetite he had become thinner. On the morning of admission he
suffered abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, his breathing had become irregular and at times he
appeared semiconscious. Further questioning of the parents indicated the patient had recently developed
polydipsia and polyuria.

On admission he was conscious and hyperventilating; he was dehydrated and his breath had the
fruity odor of ketones. Blood and urine samples were analysed and quickly indicated clinically
significant levels of glycosuria, hyperglycaemia and ketonaemia. W's condition was diagnosed as
diabetic ketoacidosis and emergency treatment was commenced.

Vital signs on admission:

+ Pulse 98 per minute

+ BP (Body Pulse) 110/70
+ Oral temp 36.0°C
+ Blood glucose urine: 28 mrnol/litre ketones
+ Hyperventilating

He was given an initial intravenous infusion of 6 units of soluble insulin followed by 6 units
hourly. His fluid and electrolyte loss were replaced by an intravenous saline infusion. His blood glucose
was monitored hourly and electrolytes 2 hourly in the initial phase of treatment. When his blood glucose
reached its normal value, he was given a saline infusion of 5% Dextrose containing 20 mmol KCl per
litre. The dose of insulin was adjusted according to the hourly blood glucose results.

W's parents were informed their son was suffering from Type 1 diabetes mellitus also known
as insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), a chronic incurable condition brought on by a failure of
the pancreatic islets to produce insulin.

Once recovered from his acute attack he was referred to the diabetic clinician for advice on
insulin therapy and his GP was informed. He responded well to advice, and now self-administers two
daily injections of insulin. His regimen was adjusted to avoid hypoglycemia and give good glycaemic
control. Both injections consist of a mixture of short and intermediate-acting insulins, the first before
breakfast and the second before his evening meal.
Match the left to the right:
islets   condition of too much/excessive thirst

regimen   condition of sugar in the urine

polydipsia   condition of too much urine

ketonaemia   small islands of cells that secrete insulin in the pancreas (Islets of Langerhan's)

insomnia   the ionized salts in the blood (e.g sodium and potassium ions)

glycosuria   abnormal acidity caused by ketones

electrolyte   condition of below normal levels of sugar in the blood

hyperglycaemia   regulated scheme (e.g. of taking drugs/ medication)

hyperventilating   condition of inability to sleep

ketoacidosis   condition of ketones in the blood

 condition of above normal concentration of sugar in the blood

 above normal ventilation rate of the lungs (rapid deep breathing)

10-minute test (1)

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Allergies

Some people suffer from hay fever when pollen is in the air. Others develop skin rashes when
they touch certain substances. Still others experience stomach cramps after eating particular foods.
These ailments are all caused by allergic reactions to various substances. In most cases, an allergy
causes relatively mild symptoms such as sneezes from breathing dust. A rare and severe allergic reaction
can occasionally lead to death. Death from bee stings is an example of this severe type of allergic
reaction. When possible, one should avoid contact with the pollens, foods or whatever has previously
caused an allergic reaction. Many substances are so widespread, however, that it is difficult to avoid
them. These include dust, pollens, and polluted air. When allergy is severe, it is possible for a physician
to desensitize the person to the allergen by injecting a small amount of an extract of the allergen under
the skin, and gradually increasing the dose until a tolerance to the allergen is built up.
Question 1

Allergic reactions _________.

o are usually not too serious

o usually make people sneeze
o are experienced by all people
o unfortunately often end in death
o are always the cause of rashes

Question 2

We can assume from the passage that dust, pollens and polluted air _________.

o are among the deadliest of all allergens

o account for the death of many people so far
o are the greatest threat to allergy sufferers in urban areas
o should be avoided at all costs, or the sufferer may die
o are allergens that are hard to avoid

Question 3

We can conclude from the passage that _________.

o doctors are usually helpless in allergy cases

o the most common allergic reaction is to bee stings
o a sufferer can only avoid allergens through professional assistance
o most allergy sufferers develop stomach pain after eating some foods.
o allergens and allergic reactions are of various types

Question 4

The word "tolerance" is closest in meaning to ________.

o the ability to suppress something

o the ability to prevent something
o the ability to resist something
o the ability to suffer something without being harmed

Question 5

Decide whether the statement is true (T) or false (F).

In some cases, allergies can be life-threatening. _____

Communicating with elderly patients

1. Are there any circumstances where you think a doctor should override a patient’s wishes, when
those wishes mean that the patient may be putting their life at risk?
2. Why do you think this patient made such an impression on the doctor?

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Relative risk

“It was a tight pain, around my chest, just like when I had my heart attack 40 years ago.” He
went on to give a textbook history of cardiac chest pain, which had kept him awake all night two nights
previously. When I asked him why he had not sought help sooner, he told me that he had been looking
after his son’s pets while he was away for an important job interview: I proceeded to ask about risk
factors for ischaemic heart disease, starting with smoking. “Yes, I did smoke, but then again, everyone
did then ... you would have too.”

Intrigued, I asked what he meant. “I was a Spitfire pilot during the war. Not the normal planes,
but the ones on the aircraft carriers. The landing deck was only about 300 feet [about 100 m] long and
about 75 feet wide. What made it even harder was that it was a moving target in rough seas. When
you’ve done that, chest pain doesn’t seem quite so bad.”

His blood troponin concentration was elevated at 1.73 µg/l, and we advised hospital admission
for observation and optimisation of his medication. “No thanks, doc,” he replied, “It’s the Bowls Club
Christmas dinner tonight – I don’t want to miss it.” We counselled him as to the risks, but he would not
stay. It was all we could do to stop him walking the short distance home, rather than waiting for
transport.

Although I was initially concerned by his refusal to stay, on reflection, I think he made the
correct decision. We work in a risk averse environment and often lose perspective. For him, the risk of
another ischaemic event or arrhythmia was taken in the context of what he had been through all those
years ago. He could not contemplate the possibility of his son missing out on a valuable job opportunity,
or not catching up with his friends at their annual dinner, just so that he could stay in hospital.

He has taught me a valuable lesson – risk is relative.

Stephen J Hanna, GP registrar, department of elderly medicine, York District Hospital, York

BMJ 2007;335:666 (29 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.39129.623368

3. In the case above, the doctor lets the patient leave the hospital, despite the fact that they had
advised he stay for observation and optimisation of his medication. Discuss what your reaction
might have been and the factors that would influence this decision.
4. The doctor says of the patient “We counselled him as to the risks”. What communication
strategies might you use in a similar situation to confirm that the patient had understood what
the risks were?
5. In the text the doctor says that the patient has taught him a valuable lesson, that “risk is
relative.” What do you think he means by this?

Think about the following question, there is no need to answer it here.

6. What communication strategies might you use in a similar situation to confirm that the patient
had understood what the risks were?
10-minute test (2)

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is the end result of the accumulation of plaques within the walls of the
arteries that supply the muscle of the heart with oxygen and nutrients. The symptoms and signs of
coronary heart disease are noted in the advanced state of disease. But most individuals with coronary
heart disease show no evidence of disease for decades. The disease progresses unnoticed until the first
onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack, finally arise. After decades of progression, some of
these plaques may rupture and start limiting blood flow to the heart muscle.

The disease is the most common cause of sudden death, and is also the most common reason
for death of men and women over 20 years of age. According to present trends in the United States, half
of healthy 40-year-old males will develop coronary heart disease in the future, and one in three healthy
40-year-old women. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Northern Ireland is the country with
the most occurrences of coronary heart disease.

Questions 1-5:

Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

Coronary heart disease can progress suddenly. ______

Coronary heart disease is more prevalent among women than men. ______

Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death. ______

Coronary heart disease restricts the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. ______

It is predicted that one in two American men will probably develop coronary heart disease in their
forties in the future. ______

Question 6

How long can coronary heart disease go unnoticed?

o Until plaque accumulates in arteries

o Until oxygen and nutrients are supplied to the heart
o Until someone is 40 years old
o For 10, 20 or 30 years

Question 7

The word “rupture” is closest in meaning to ________.

o prevail
o integrate
o burst apart
o segregate
15-minute test

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

High Blood Pressure - Hypertension

Hypertension (HT) is commonly called high blood pressure, nowadays (2005 on) defined as
above 140/85 mm Hg; or if one is a diabetic, over 135/80. About 38% of UK adults have hypertension.
Advice and treatment includes exercise, lifestyle changes, and / or diet changes, as well as drugs.

Possibly as many as 16 million UK people have high blood pressure, and the proportion of the
population is slowly increasing over the years. About 5% have an obvious underlying cause such as
kidney disease. Most of the rest have no single obvious cause. Some have a genetic component, with
hypertension tending to run in families. In addition there are environmental and lifestyle factors. The
most important causes are being obese, smoking, too much alcohol, too much salt, stress, lack of
exercise, poor diet, too little potassium, and family history of relatives with hypertension. Oily fish with
omega-3 fatty acids is protective against high blood pressure and heart disease.

Five self-help measures are suggested:

+ Avoid being overweight.

+ Reduce salt intake.
+ Keep alcohol down.
+ Exercise can reduce your blood pressure and help to keep your weight down. Start slowly and
build up. Walking is excellent. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes’ activity at least three times a week.
Or even better than more intense exercise for a shorter time.
+ Don’t smoke.

Questions 1-10:

Decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).

Hypertension means high blood pressure. ______

In the coming years the number of UK people having high blood pressure will reach 16 million. ____

A person having blood pressure over 135/80 mm Hg is in the condition of HT. ______

A person with high blood pressure cannot be treated because there are no drugs. ______

One of the causes of HT is kidney disease. ______

Family factor is considered as one of the causes of HT. ______

An overweight person may easily get the risk of high blood pressure. ______

It is advised that you don’t need to use salt in your diet. ______

It is suggested that you don’t smoke too much. ______

Walking is the good way to help keep away from HT. ______
Vitamin C – Ms. Nhã

Read the following passage and answer the questions:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin used to treat and prevent a wide variety of conditions.
Often, people use it to prevent or treat the common cold. However, there are other claimed uses of
vitamin C as well, such as for reducing the risk of heart disease.

The vitamin has several different effects in the human body, such as:

+ Antioxidant: Many of the effects of vitamin C can be attributed to its antioxidant effects. As an
antioxidant, it helps prevent the formation of free radicals, damaging molecules or atoms that
can start a chain reaction of cellular damage. Free radicals play a role in various age-related
conditions, such as cancer and heart disease.
+ Immune function: There are numerous different proposed mechanisms by which vitamin C may
improve immune function. At this time, it is not entirely clear how the vitamin stimulates the
immune system.
+ Iron absorption: Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron from the digestive tract into the body.
+ Various metabolic pathways and synthesis processes: It is important for many different crucial
processes in the body, including forming cartilage and proteins and building or breaking down
numerous other compounds or tissues in the body.

Vitamin C may be effective for several different uses. However, there is much controversy
about some uses, such as for the common cold.

Most people do not experience side effects with vitamin C (at normal doses). However, some
people may experience side effects (especially with high doses), including, but not limit to nausea,
vomiting, heartburn or indigestion, insomnia, kidney stones. Normal doses are probably safe for most
people, but high doses can cause problems. Some people may be more likely to experience problems
due to vitamin C.
Question 1

As anantioxidant Vitamin C can be used to treat ____________.

o heart disease
o common cold
o hepatitis
o all of these

Question 2

Vitamin C play an important part in the processes of ____________.

o cartilage formation
o iron absorption
o protein synthesis
o all of these

Question 3

The mechanism of by which Vitamin C fight common cold __________.

o has been proved

o is debatable
o is entirely clear
o has not been found

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT true?

o Vitamin C is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease.

o Antioxidant effects of Vitamin C result in its many uses in prevention and treatment of
diseases.
o Vitamin C can strengthen the body’s defence against diseases.
o High doses of Vitamin C can be safe for most people.

Question 5

Which one is NOT a side effect caused of vitamin C?

o sleeplessness
o malnutrition
o nephrolithiasis
o bringing up food
Anesthesiology – Ms. Thảo

Read the passage and answer the questions. You should spend about 20 minutes answering the
questions.

Anesthesiology

Since the beginning of time, man has sought natural remedies for pain. Between 40 and 60
A.D., Greek physician, Dioscorides traveled with the Roman armies, studying the medicinal properties
of plants andminerals. His book, De materia medica, written in five volumes and translated into at least
seven languages, was the primary reference source for physicians for over sixteen centuries. The field
of anesthesiology, which was once nothing more than a list of medicinal plants and makeshift remedies,
has grown into one of the most important fields in medicine.

Many of the early pain relievers were based on myth and did little to relieve the suffering of an
ill or injured person. The mandragora (now known as the mandrake plant) was one of the first plants to
be used as an anesthetic. Due to the apparent screaming that the plant made as it was pulled from the
ground, people in the Middle Ages believed that the person who removed the mandrake from the earth
would either die or go insane. This superstition may have resulted because the split root of the mandrake
resembled the human form. In order to pull the root from the ground, the plant collector would loosen
it and tie the stem to an animal. It was believed that the safest time to uproot a mandrake was in the
moonlight, and the best animal to use was a black dog. In his manual, Dioscorides suggested boiling
the root with wine and having a man drink the potion to remove sensation before cutting his flesh or
burning his skin. Opium and Indianhemp were later used to induce sleep before a painful procedure or
to relieve the pain of an illness. Other remedies such as cocaine did more harm to the patient than good
as people died from their addictions. President Ulysses S.Grant became addicted to cocaine before he
died of throat cancer in 1885.

The modern field of anesthetics dates to the incident when nitrous oxide (more commonly
known as laughing gas) was accidentally discovered. Humphrey Davy, the inventor of the miner’s lamp,
discovered that inhaling the toxic compound caused a strange euphoria, followed by fits of laughter,
tears, and sometimes unconsciousness. U.S. dentist, Horace Wells, was the first on record to experiment
with laughing gas, which he used in 1844 to relieve pain during a tooth extraction. Two years later, Dr.
William Morton created the first anesthetic machine. This apparatus was a simple glass globe containing
an ether-soaked sponge. Morton considered ether a good alternative tonitrous oxide because the
numbing effect lasted considerably longer. Hisapparatus allowed the patient to inhale vapors whenever
the pain became unbearable, in 1846, during a trial experiment in Boston, a tumor was successfully
removed from a man's jaw area while he was anesthetized with Morton’s machine.

(continued on next page)

 (continued from last page)

The first use of anesthesia in the obstetric field occurred in Scotland by Dr. James Simpson.
Instead of ether, which he considered irritating to the eyes, Simpson administered chloroform to reduce
the pain of childbirth. Simpson sprinkled chloroform on a handkerchief and allowed laboring women
to inhale the fumes at their own discretion. In 1853, Queen Victoria agreed to use chloroform during
the birth of her eighth child. Soon the use of chloroform during childbirth was both acceptable and
fashionable. However, as chloroform became a more popular anesthetic, knowledge of its toxicity
surfaced, and it was soon obsolete.

After World War II, numerous developments were made in the field of anesthetics. Surgical
procedures that had been unthinkable were being performed with little or no pain felt by the patient.
Rather than physicians or nurses who administered pain relief as part of their profession,
anesthesiologists became specialists in suppressing consciousness and alleviating pain.
Anesthesiologists today are classified as perioperative physicians, meaning they take care of a patient
before, during, and after surgical procedures. It takes over eight years of schooling and four years of
residency until an anesthesiologist is prepared to practice in the United States. These experts are trained
to administer three different types of anesthetics: general, local, and regional.

+ General anesthetic is used to put apatient into a temporary state of unconsciousness.

+ Local anesthetic is usedonly at the affected site and causes a loss of sensation.
+ Regional anesthetic is used toblock the sensation and possibly the movement of a larger
portion of the body.

As well as controlling the levels of pain for the patient before and throughout an operation,
anesthesiologists are responsible for monitoring and controlling the patient's vital functions during the
procedure and assessing the medical needs in the post-operative room.

The number of anesthesiologists in the United States has more than doubled since the 1970s,
as has the improvement and success of operative care. In addition, complications from anesthesiology
have declined dramatically. Over 40 million anesthetics are administered in the United States each year,
with only 1 in 250,000 causing death.
Questions 1-6:

Decide whether the statements are true (T), false (F), or not given (NG).

Dioscorides’ book, De materia medica, fell out of use after 60 A.D. ______

Mandragora was used as an anesthetic during the Middle Ages. ______

Nitrous oxide can cause the user both laugh and cry. ______

During the second half of the 19th century, most dentists used anesthesia. ______

Anesthesiologists in the United States are required to have 12 years of education and training. ______

There are fewer anesthesiologists in the United States now than in the past. ______

Questions 7-12:

Match each fact about anesthesia with the type of anesthetic that it refers to. There are more types of
anesthetics listed than facts, so you won’t use them all.

chloroform   used by sprinkling on a handkerchief

mandrake   used on only one specific part of the body

local anesthetic   used by boiling with wine

ether   used first during a dental procedure

nitrous oxide   used to stop feeling over a larger area of the body

regional anesthetic   used in the first anesthetic machine

general anesthetic 

pium 