Reading Comprehension
1. Understanding the Organization of the Text
1) Introduction (para.1-2)
The term placebo is introduced: when it is prescribed and what it is.
2) The study of the placebo (para.3-7)
i) The placebo works because the human mind fools itself.
ii)The placebo makes the wish to get better become reality.
iii)The doctor
70 percent or the people
only 25 percent of the people
3) seasickness, coughs, colds, pain after an operation
nothing at all
The first group showed no changes from the way old people in that village had always been. a placebo
The second group had much better health and a lower death rate.
a real drug which was intended to help with the problems of old age.
The third group showed much the same results as the group that took the placebo.
4) if the placebo can have bad effects it should never be used.
2. Understanding Specific Information
1) Yes 2) No 3) Maybe 4) Yes 5) Yes 6) No 7) Yes 8) Maybe
Vocabulary
1. 1) A. a substance used for treating illness, especially a liquid you drink
B. the treatment and study of illness and injuries
2) A. an act of firing a gun
B. an injection of a drug
3) A. the part of a spacecraft in which astronauts live and work
B. a plastic container shaped like a very small tube with medicine inside
4) A. become whole and sound, return to health
B. cause to become mentally or emotionally strong again after a bad experience
5) A. a particular way of behaving towards someone or of dealing with them.
B. a method that is intended to cure an injury or illness.
6) A. the process of cutting into someone's body to repair or remove a part that is damaged
B. the process of making a machine or system work
7) A. a person or their particular problem that a doctor is dealing with
B. a situation that exists, especially as it affects a particular person or group
8) A. make someone think that a particular thing is true; indicate
B. tell someone your ideas about what they should do, where they should go, etc.
2. 1) a 2) e 3) f 4) d 5) g 6) h 7) c 8) b
Translation