OET READING FUNDAMENTALS - SPEEDTEST

Reputable Robot: We are now using the first robot of its kind in Greater
Manchester for cancer operations
The first patient to receive the
new surgery was Victor Unwin, a
building maintenance engineer
from Reddish, with consultant
surgeon Neil Oakley

The new surgical robot boasts

state-of-the art equipment to
carry out operations on kidney,
bladder and prostate cancer
patients using keyhole rather
than major surgery. It also
allows two specialist surgeons
to operate simultaneously using the robot.

The four-armed robot is operated by the surgeon from a booth to move the robot’s arms and control
the instruments on the end of each. It can find and remove cancerous tissue nearly impossible to
reach otherwise. The robot’s arms go inside the patient through small incisions in the skin.

The dexterity of the robot means surgeons can

operate with more precision. The robot also
offers other important benefits to patients such
as causing less trauma to the body than normal
surgery. This means less anesthesia, reduced
blood loss, reduced pain and discomfort, and a
lower risk of infection.

Our robot is the second in Greater Manchester,

joining the Christie’s robot which is used
primarily for prostate cancer patients.

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It is the first in the region to feature dual consoles. This allows other surgeons to be trained whilst
the surgery is carried out, as well as two surgeons to operate simultaneously. Stepping Hill Hospital
is already recognized as a urology training centre by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, one
of only two centres in the UK.

 We are aiming to carry out 250

operations every year with the robot.
 Prostate cancer patients can recover so
quickly they can expect to leave hospital
within 24 hours.
 Kidney cancer patients can have
tumours removed with much less
damage to the kidney.
 Bladder cancer patients can have
minimally invasive surgery, instead of
the traditional open surgery, meaning
around five less days in hospital with less
pain control required.
73 words 400 words total

Read the article and the text box at the end and answer the questions which follow:

1. Which category of patients are most helped by this new robotic surgery?
a) Heart patients
b) Kidney patients
c) Cancer patients
d) Child patients

2. Who was the first patient to benefit from this surgery?

a) Stanley Unwin
b) Victoria Unwin
c) Vic Unwin
d) Victor Unwin

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3. If something is very new and up-to-date we say it is:

a) state of the art
b)state of the arc
c) state of the ark
d) status quo

4. Which three types of cancer have benefited from robotic surgery? (tick all that apply).
a) Kidney
b) Breast
c) Prostrate
d) Bladder

5. What is the special thing that the robot allows?

a) two operations can be carried out by a surgeon simultaneously.
b) two surgeons can carry out an operation simultaneously.
c) It has four arms to operate simultaneously.
d) The robot can operate on four patients simultaneously.

6. The robot’s arms can go into the patient through: (Tick all that apply)
a) small subcutaneous incisions.
b) small incisions under the skin of the patient.
c) tunnels made into the deep muscles of the body.
d)natural openings in the body.

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7. “Dexterity “ means:
a) quickness.
b) having two left hands.
c) ability to manoeuvre easily in a small space.
d) cleverness.

8. What are the benefits of robot surgery? (Tick all that apply).
a) reduced pain and discomfort.
b) a lower risk of infection.
c) reduced blood loss and less anesthesia.
d)less trauma to the patient.

9. Was Stepping Hill, Stockport the first Hospital to use robotic surgery?
a) Yes, it was a Stepping Hill breakthrough.
b) No, it was the second hospital in Stockport to use it.
c) Christies was the first hospital to use the technique.
d) Yes, it was the first hospital in the country to use it.

10. What is a Stepping Hill first?

a) It was the first hospital in the country to use dual controls.
b) Two surgeons can operate simultaneously.
c) Other surgeons can be trained while an operation is on-going.
d) It was the first of two hospitals in the country to train Australian surgeons.

11. Stepping Hill is recognized as: (tick all that apply)

a) a centre of excellence by the Australian College of Surgeons.
b) the best hospital outside of Australia for urology.
c) a training centre for urology, by the Australian College of Surgeons.
d)The finest hospital in the world

12. How many operations a year can the robots carry out?
a) More than 250.
b) Less than 250.
c) 250
d) Double the present number of operations.

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13. How soon can patients be discharged after an operation?

a) 24 hours.
b) 36 hours.
c) The next day.
d) After two days.

14. What are the benefits to the patient of robotic surgery? (Tick all that apply)
a) Less damage to the organs.
b)No open surgery.
c) Five days less recovery time in hospital.
d) Less need for pain control.

Answers:

1. c) 2. d) 3. a) 4. a) c) d) 5. b) 6. a) b) 7. c) 8. a) b) c) d) 9. b)
10. a) b) c) 11. c) 12. c) 13. a) 14. a) b) c) d)

/25

WORDS PER MINUTE CHART: Time Reading Passage : Medical Robots (400 words)
Time WPM Time WPM Time WPM Time WPM Time WPM
1:00 400 2:00 200 3:00 133 4:00 100 5:00 80
1:10 343 2:10 184 3:10 126 4.10 96 5:10 77
1:20 300 2:20 171 3:20 120 4:20 92 5:20 75
1:30 266 2:30 160 3:30 114 4:30 89 5:30 73
1:40 240 2:40 150 3:40 109 4:40 86 5:40 70
1:50 218 2:50 141 3:50 104 4:50 83 5:50 68

Keep a record of your comprehension score and your WPM score.

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