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Malaria, though not getting as much publicity as cancer
or AIDS, is nonetheless the world's major infectious
disease. There are about a hundred million cases of
malaria each year and more than two million die of the
disease. The disease is caused by a parasite known as
Plasmodium which is carried by the female anopheles
mosquito. When the infected mosquito bites a person, the
parasite enters the bloodstream and quickly invades the
liver. There it begins to divide. It then goes into the
red blood cells and multiplies quickly. The symptoms of
the disease is then felt by the victim. Such symptoms
include repeated attacks of shaking, high fever,
headache and profuse perspiration. Travelers to malaria
infected countries are required to take anti-malaria
drugs to safeguard themselves.
Our government is very concerned with the problem of
mosquito-breeding in Singapore. Mosquitoes not only
spread malaria but also cause dengue fever, another
dangerous disease that have claimed many lives in the
past few years.
We must do our part to get rid of mosquitoes to
minimize the risk of being infected with such diseases.
Mosquitoes need only a little stagnant water to lay and
develop their eggs. Water left standing in our plant pot
holders, flower vases and pails; roof gutters and drains
clogged with leaves all serve as ideal breeding grounds
for them.
Unless and until all of us make a conscious effort to
solve the problem of mosquito breeding, the danger of
contacting malaria or dengue fever will always be
present. |
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1. |
What is malaria ? |
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2. |
How is it spread ? |
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3. |
What happens when an infected mosquito bites a person ? |
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4. |
When does the parasite multiply ? |
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5. |
Which word used in the passage means the
same as 'signs'? |
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6. |
What are some of the symptoms of malaria ? |
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7. |
What must tourists do before they visit
malaria infected countries ? |
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8. |
Why are mosquitoes regarded as pests ? |
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9. |
What is an ideal mosquito breeding ground ? |
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10. |
How can we help to prevent mosquitoes from
breeding ? |
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| Answers |
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1. |
It is an infectious disease. |
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2. |
It is spread by the female anopheles
mosquito. |
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3. |
The parasite enters the bloodstream and
invades the liver. |
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4. |
It multiplies when it goes into the red
blood cells. |
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5. |
The word is 'symptoms'. |
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6. |
They are high fever, headaches, attacks of
shaking and profuse perspiration. |
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7. |
They must take anti-malaria drugs. |
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8. |
They spread malaria and cause dengue fever. |
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9. |
It is any place where there is stagnant
water. |
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10. |
We can do that by making sure that water is
not left standing for days in any receptacle. |
