The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers -

The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance A For much of human history, common bacterial infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, and wound sepsis were often death sentences. The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 revolutionised medicine, ushering in the antibiotic era. For decades, these ‘miracle drugs’ allowed doctors to cure infections easily, perform complex surgeries safely, and protect vulnerable patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, this golden age is under severe threat due to the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance (ABR).

Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria adapt to survive drugs. Human activities have (6) ______ this natural process. In farming, antibiotics are used for growth and (7) ______, leading to resistant bacteria entering water systems. As a result, routine operations like hip replacements may become (8) ______. To solve this, experts propose a (9) ______ approach combining human, animal, and environmental strategies. The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance A

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to drugs designed to kill them. This is a natural evolutionary process, but human activities have dramatically accelerated it. The primary driver is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. In many countries, antibiotics are available without prescription, leading to self-medication for viral infections like the common cold—against which they are useless. Even when prescribed correctly, patients often fail to complete the full course, allowing surviving bacteria to develop resistance. However, this golden age is under severe threat

A less visible but equally significant contributor is the widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture. Globally, more than 70% of all antibiotics are used in farm animals—not only to treat sick animals but also for growth promotion and disease prevention in crowded conditions. These antibiotics enter the environment through manure and water run-off, creating ‘reservoirs’ of resistant bacteria in soil and water systems. From there, resistance genes can transfer to human pathogens. In farming, antibiotics are used for growth and