1

Reading Part A

Reading: Part A - Answer Booklet

Part A Summary Gap Fill Time Limit: 15 minutes
Instructions
Complete the following summary using the information in the texts
for this task.
Skim and scan the texts to find the information required.
Gaps may require 1, 2 or 3 words.
Write your answers in the appropriate space in the column on the
right hand side.
Make sure your spelling is correct.
Summary Answers
1.

Snake bite is one of the most neglected public health

2.
issues in poor rural communities in South East Asia.
Yet the creature responsible has been both ....(1).... 3.
and ....(2).... since the earliest of times. To Hindus
and ....(3).... , it is considered to be ....(4).... . Despite 4.

being revered, however, there are ....(5).... in the

5.
South Asia region than anywhere else in the world.

6.
There are many ....(6).... for this situation including
high population density, extensive agricultural 7.
activities, lack of snake bite control programs and
the fact that many of the snakes are ....(7).... . 8.

9.
According to recent studies on the characteristics of
victims, males are ....(8).... as likely to be bitten as 10.
female. The average age of those bitten by a snake is
....(9).... and ....(10).... % of victims are between the 11.
ages of 10 and 40. While ....(11 ).... and ....(12 ).... are
commonly bitten, over 50% or the victims are 12.

farmers.

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 2
Reading Part A

Part A Answer Sheet continued

Summary Answers
13.
The ....(13).... is dependent on the species and when
they are active. During the daytime, cobra bites are 14.
more ....(14).... while ....(15).... are more frequent at
night. The foot, ankle or leg is the ....(16)..... place to 15.

be bitten.
16.

Regarding treatment, it ....(17).... by most experts that 17.

snake bite victims require urgent transportation to a
medical centre for clinical ....(18).... by experienced 18.
medical staff. This fact is supported by research in
19.
....(19).... which confirmed that there is an increased
risk of complication if antivenom administration
20.
....(20).... . While 60% reach a health centre within 6
hours, unfortunately they usually ....(21).... reach a 21.
health centre in less than one hour. To make matters
worse, over half of snake bite victims received first 22.
aid methods which were ....(22).... and even ....(23).....
23.
For example, if ....(24).... are left on for a long period,
they can cause severe local damage.
24.

The number of snake bites could be reduced if 25.

....(25).... was provided to those at risk. For example,
many bites occur when people walk ....(26).... and 26.
step on a snake by ....(27).... Protective clothing such
27.
as ....(28).... and ....(29).... should be worn when doing
agricultural activities. The removal of ....(30)....
28.
from the surroundings of human dwellings can also
help reduce snake populations. 29.

30.

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 3
Reading Part A

Texts
Snake Bite in South Asia
Source: Public Library of Open Science
Authors: Alirol et al
Text 1

Background

There are more snake bites in the South Asia region than any where else in the world.
This is due to its high population density, widespread agricultural activities, numerous
venomous snake species and lack of functional snake bite control programs. However,
since ancient times, snakes have been worshipped and feared, in South Asia. Cobras
appear in many tales and myths and are regarded as sacred by both Hindus and
Buddhists. Unfortunately, snakes remain a painful reality in the daily life of millions
of villagers in this region. Indeed, although antivenom is produced in sufficient
quantities by several public and private manufacturers, most snake bite victims dont
have access to quality care, and in many countries, both morbidity and mortality due
to snake bites are high.

Text 2

First aid

Most experts agree that snake bite victims should be transported as quickly as
possible to a medical centre where they can be clinically evaluated by qualified
medical staff, and where antivenoms are available. In fact, time of transport was
shown to be a crucial determinant of snake bite mortality in eastern Nepal, and studies
in southern India confirmed that delayed antivenom administration was associated
with an increased risk of complications. The bite victim should be reassured, the
bitten limb immobilized with a makeshift splint or sling, and the patient transported.
Walking is contraindicated, because muscular contractions promote venom
absorption. These traditional measures are strongly contraindicated as they are
ineffective and in most cases deleterious. For example, tourniquets cannot be safely
left on for long without risking severe local damage including ischemia, necrosis, and
gangrene

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 4
Reading Part A

Text 3
Table 1. Characteristics of snake bite victims in South Asia
Characteristic Detail
Age The mean age of snake bite victims is around 30 years.
Three-quarters of the victims are in the 10- to 40-year age
group, broadly in agreement with demography.
Gender There is a clear preponderance of males among snake bite
victims. A 2:1 male to female ratio is frequently observed.
Occupation Farmers account for more than half of the victims.
Students and housewives are also frequently bitten.
Time of Bite The time of bite depends on the relative abundance of
diurnal and nocturnal snakes. Krait bites generally occur
at night, whereas viper and cobra bites mostly occur
during daytime.
Site of bite 60%80% of bites occur on the foot, ankle, or leg. Bites
on the head and trunk are mostly due to nocturnal species
biting sleeping people.
Delay between bite and The bite-to-treatment delay varies greatly, ranging from
treatment 30 minutes to 15 days. Most studies show that at least
60% of victims reach a health centre within six hours but
very few in less than one hour.
First aid methods In eight out of 15 studies, more than 50% of snake bite
victims used inappropriate and harmful first aid methods.
Tourniquets are used by up to 98% of patients, and cannot
be left on for too long without risking severe local damage
including ischemia, necrosis, and gangrene.
Mortality Mortality rates are highly variable, ranging from 0.5% to
58%. Most fatalities occur before reaching treatment
centres.

Text 4

Control and Prevention

In practice, strategies to control snake populations and to prevent snake bites are
nonexistent in South Asian countries. Many bites could be avoided by educating the
population at risk. Sleeping on a cot (rather than on the floor) and under bed nets
decreases the risk of nocturnal bites in Nepal. Rubbish and firewood, which attract
snakes, can be removed from the vicinity of human dwellings. Attempts can be made
to prevent the proliferation of rodents in the domestic and peridomestic area.
Thatched roofs, and mud and straw walls are favoured hiding places for snakes and
should be checked frequently. Many bites occur when people walking barefoot or
wearing only sandals accidentally step on a snake. Using a torch/ flashlight while
walking on footpaths at night, and wearing boots and long pants during agricultural
activities, could significantly reduce the incidence of bites.

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 5
Reading Part A

Snake Bite: Answer key and explanation

Answer Details
1. worshipped Type 1
2. feared
Type 1
3. Buddhists
Type 1
4. sacred
Type 1
5. more snake bites
Type 1
6. reasons (or words of
Type 4: Use logic to add word which creates the same
similar meaning)
meaning
7. venomous
Type 1
8. twice/ 2 times
Type 3 : 2:1 ratio equals twice or 2 times
9. 30 years
Type 1

10. 75 Type 3: three quarters =75%

11. students
Type 1
12. housewives
Type 1
13. time of bite
Type 1
14. frequent/common
Type 4: change word to match meaning
15. Krait bites Type 1
16. Most common/most
frequent Type 4: Match meaning 60-80% =most common/frequent

17. is agreed Type 2: change word form: agree(active verb) is

agreed (passive verb)
18. evaluation Type 2: change word form: evaluated (adjective)
evaluation(noun)
19. southern India Type 1

20. is delayed Type 2: change word form: delay(active verb) is

delayed (passive verb)
21. do not
Type 4: select word based on understanding of meaning
22. inappropriate
Type 1

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 6
Reading Part A

23. harmful Type 1

24. tourniquets Type 1
25. education Type 2/4: Need to understand meaning and change
educating (gerund) education (noun)
26. barefoot
Type 1
Type 2 change word form: accidentally(adverb)
27. accident
accident (adjective)
28. boots Type 1
29. long pants
Type 1
30. rubbish and firewood Type 1

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 7
Reading Part A

Snakebite: Answers highlighted in text

Text 1

Background

There are (5)more snake bites in the South Asia region than any where else in the world.This is (6) due to its high
population density, widespread agricultural activities, numerous (7) venomous snake species and lack of functional
snake bite control programs. However, since ancient times, snakes have been (1)worshipped and (2)feared, in
South Asia. Cobras appear in many tales and myths and are regarded as (4) sacred by both Hindus and (3)
Buddhists. Unfortunately, snakes remain a painful reality in the daily life of millions of villagers in this region.
Indeed, although antivenom is produced in sufficient quantities by several public and private manufacturers, most
snake bite victims dont have access to quality care, and in many countries, both morbidity and mortality due to
snake bites are high.

Text 2

First aid

Most experts (17) agree that snake bite victims should be transported as quickly as possible to a medical centre
where they can be clinically (18)evaluated by qualified medical staff, and where antivenoms are available. In fact,
time of transport was shown to be a crucial determinant of snake bite mortality in eastern Nepal, and studies in
(19)southern India confirmed that (20)delayed antivenom administration was associated with an increased risk of
complications. The bite victim should be reassured, the bitten limb immobilized with a makeshift splint or sling,
and the patient transported. Walking is contraindicated, because muscular contractions promote venom
absorption.These traditional measures are strongly contraindicated as they are ineffective and in most cases
deleterious. For example, tourniquets cannot be safely left on for long without risking severe local damage
including ischemia, necrosis, and gangrene

Text 3
Table 1. Characteristics of snake bite victims in South Asia (2009)
Characteristic Detail
Age The mean age of snake bite victims is around (9)30 years. (10)Three-quarters
of the victims are in the 10- to 40-year age group, broadly in agreement with
demography.
Gender There is a clear preponderance of males among snake bite victims. A (8) 2:1
male to females ratio is frequently observed.
Occupation Farmers account for more than half of the victims. (11)Students and
(12)housewives are also frequently bitten.
Time of Bite The (13)time of bite depends on the relative abundance of diurnal and
nocturnal snakes. (15)Krait bites generally occur at night, whereas viper and
cobra bites (14) mostly occur during daytime.
Site of bite (16)60%80% of bites occur on the foot, ankle, or leg. Bites on the head and
trunk are mostly due to nocturnal species biting sleeping people.
Delay between bite and The bite-to-treatment delay varies greatly, ranging from 30 minutes to 15
treatment days. Most studies show that at least 60% of victims (21)reach a health centre
within six hours but (21)very few in less than one hour.
First aid methods In eight out of 15 studies, more than 50% of snake bite victims used
(22)inappropriate and (23)harmful first aid methods. (24) Tourniquets are
used by up to 98% of patients, and cannot be left on for too long without
risking severe local damage including ischemia, necrosis, and gangrene
Mortality Mortality rates are highly variable, ranging from 0.5% to 58%. Most fatalities
occur before reaching treatment centres.

Text 4

Control and Prevention

In practice, strategies to control snake populations and to prevent snake bites are nonexistent in South Asian
countries. Many bites could be avoided by (25)educating the population at risk. Sleeping on a cot (rather than on
the floor) and under bed nets decreases the risk of nocturnal bites in Nepal. (30)Rubbish and firewood, which
attract snakes, can be removed from the vicinity of human dwellings. Attempts can be made to prevent the
proliferation of rodents in the domestic and peridomestic area. Thatched roofs, and mud and straw walls are
favoured hiding places for snakes and should be checked frequently. Many bites occur when people are walking
(26)barefoot and (27)accidentally step on a snake. Using a torch/ flashlight while walking on footpaths at night,
and wearing (28)boots and (29)long pants during agricultural activities, could significantly reduce the incidence of
bites.

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Website: http://oetonline.com.au Email: steve@oetonline.com.au