Reading & Writing Simulation Tasks
Reference Materials:
Source A:
https://student.societyforscience.org/article/new-germ-fighter-turns-dirt
Source B:
https://student.societyforscience.org/article/clay-new-way-fight-germs
Source C:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdce2qIcCUM
Directions: Read the article for source A then answer the questions below by using the highlighting option. For
example:
1. Problem to solve…
a. one
b. two
c. three
Source A: Reading comprehension Questions
1. Which of the phrases does the author include to help you infer what an antibiotic does?
a. a compound in soil that acts as an antibiotic
b. it wiped out dangerous bacteria that cause infection
c. that means it kills bacteria
d. means it no longer kills germs
2. What do these terms indicate about the implications for the use of teixobactin?
a. The compound can absolutely be used as an antibiotic in humans
b. The compound offers hope for a solution to the antibiotics crisis
c. The compound may eventually be used as a new treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria
d. Teixobactin is found in the soil and is made by bacteria
3. Which details from the article support the statement that infers there is an “antibiotic crisis”?
a. Resistance is making many antibiotics useless.
b. the potential drug seems safe for use in animals
c. The compound even killed bacteria that had become resistant to other antibiotics.
d. Large numbers of people now die from diseases that antibiotics once cured.
Source B: Reading comprehension Questions
Using all sources: Writing Task
1. The author often refers to “germs” in the article, what does the word germ specifically mean in this article?
a. Viruses that make humans sick
b. Dirt that can cause sickness
c. Different types of bacteria that cause illnesses in humans
d. Disease causing bacteria
2. The research revealed that the composition of the clay determined the effectiveness of the clay to kill germs.
What was the difference in the composition of the 3 different clay samples used in the research study?
a. The amount of iron found in each clay sample
b. The form of the iron in each sample
c. The ability of the germs to absorb the iron from the sample of clay
d. The amount of oxygen exposed to the iron in each clay
3. What is meant by the phrase “effective antibacterial agent”?
a. A chemical that helps bacteria grow quickly
b. A treatment that will prevent the growth of bacteria
c. A chemical used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria
d. Any chemical natural or synthetic that can help test bacteria growth
Directions: Write an essay using evidence from each of the 3 sources listed above. Be sure to site the evidence used by
placing the source in parenthesis after the sentence containing the referenced information for example, (Source A).
Research the potential development of treatments for antibiotic resistant bacteria, compare and contrast the success of
each new discovery and include an explanation of the importance of finding new treatments for gram positive bacteria
also known as “super bugs.”