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BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 487
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 487 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 487
READING PASSAGE – 1
The arthritis menace
A. Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. A joint is an area of the body where two different bones meet. A joint functions to move the body parts connected by its bones. Arthritis literally means inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is frequently accompanied by joint pain. Joint pain is referred to as arthralgia. There are many types of arthritis (over 100 and growing).
The types range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an overactive immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Together, the many types of arthritis make up the most common chronic illness in the United States. The causes of arthritis depend on the form of arthritis. Causes include injury, metabolic abnormalities, hereditary factors, infections, and unclear reasons.
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Arthritis is classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that are different individual illnesses, with differing features, treatments, complications, and prognoses. They are similar in that they have a tendency to affect the joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and many have the potential to affect other internal body areas.
B. Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present.
Many of the forms of arthritis, because they are rheumatic diseases, can cause symptoms affecting various organs of the body that do not directly involve the joints. Therefore, symptoms in some patients with certain forms of arthritis can also include fever, gland swelling (lymph node), weight loss, fatigue, feeling unwell and even symptoms from abnormalities of organs such as the lungs, heart, or kidneys.
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C. Arthritis sufferers include men and women, children and adults. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have arthritis. Nearly 40 million people in the United States are affected by arthritis, including over a quarter million children! More than 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Approximately 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. More than half of those with arthritis are under 65 years of age. Nearly 60% of Americans with arthritis are women.
D. The first step in the diagnosis of arthritis is a meeting between the doctor and the patient. The doctor will review the history of symptoms, examine the joints for inflammation and deformity, as well as ask questions about or examine other parts of the body for inflammation or signs of diseases that can affect other body areas. Furthermore, certain blood, urine, joint fluid, and/or X-ray tests might be ordered. The diagnosis will be based on the pattern of symptoms, the distribution of the inflamed joints, and any blood and X-ray findings. Several visits may be necessary before the doctor can be certain of the diagnosis.
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A doctor with special training in arthritis and related diseases is called a rheumatologist. Many forms of arthritis are more of an annoyance than serious. However, millions of patients suffer daily with pain and disability from arthritis or its complications. Earlier and accurate diagnosis can help to prevent irreversible damage and disability. Properly guided programs of exercise and rest, medications, physical therapy, and surgery options can idealize long-term outcomes for arthritis patients.
It should be noted that both before and especially after the diagnosis of arthritis, communication with the treating doctor is essential for optimal health. This is important from the standpoint of the doctor, so that he/she can be aware of the vagaries of the patient’s symptoms as well as their tolerance of and acceptance of treatments. It is important from the standpoint of patients, so that they can be assured that they have an understanding of the diagnosis and how the condition does and might affect them. It is also crucial for the safe use of medications.
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E. The treatment of arthritis is very dependent on the precise type of arthritis present. An accurate diagnosis increases the chances for successful treatment. Treatments available include physical therapy, splinting, cold pack application, paraffin wax dips, anti-inflammation medications, immune-altering medications, and surgical operations.
F. It has been estimated that the total cost of the arthritis bill for the United States, in terms of hospitalization, doctor visits, medications, physical therapies, nursing-home care, lost wages, early death, and family discord is over $50 billion dollars annually. This does not include the nearly $2 billion spent each year in the United States on unproven remedies by patients addressing their symptoms on their own.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 1-6
Reading passage 1 has six marked sections, A-F.
Choose the correct heading for each section, A-F.
Write the correct number, i-ix.
1. Section A
2. Section B
3. Section C
4. Section D
5. Section E
6. Section F
I. How is arthritis treated
II. Ways and importance of diagnosis
III. Arthritis- an incurable illness
IV. Hereditary factors leading to arthritis
V. Financial impact of arthritis
VI. Lifestyle changes can keep arthritis in control
VII. Symptoms of arthritis
VIII. Demographic distribution of arthritis
IX. Types of arthritis and their reasons
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Questions 7-13
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-L, below.
Arthritis is the inflammation of (7)…………… A very common symptom of arthritis is joint pain. There are (8)…………… types of arthritis and their symptoms and complications vary from person to person. Joint stiffness, swelling, warmth are some other (9)……………of the disease. This disease can affect the functioning of totally unrelated organs like kidney and (10)…………… . Timely diagnosis helps control damages and disability which are often (11)…………… . Treatment of arthritis varies according to the (12)…………… of arthritis. It ranges from physical therapy to (13)……………
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A. lungs
B. hundred
C. diagnosis
D. symptoms
E. surgery
F. heart
G. more than hundred
H. joints
I. options
J. type
K. annoyance
L. irreversible
IELTS Academic Reading Test
IELTS Academic Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. IX
2. VII
3. VIII
4. II
5. I
6. V
7. H
8. G
9. D
10. F/A
11. L
12. J
13. E
IELTS Academic Reading Test