IELTS Academic Reading Sample 17 - The Danger Of Ecstasy The Danger of ECSTASY
This reading text for Advanced learners.
I've already provide the exercises and also the answer key.
IELTS Academic Reading Sample 17 - The Danger Of
Ecstasy
The Danger of ECSTASY
Use of the illegal
drug named Ecstasy (MDMA) has increased alarmingly in Britain over the last few
years, and in 1992 the British Medical Journal claimed that at least seven
deaths and many severe adverse reactions have followed its use as a dance drug.
14 deaths have so far been attributed to the drug in Britain, although it is
possible that other drugs contributed to some of those deaths. While it is true
that all drugs by their very nature change the way in which the body reacts to
its environment and are therefore potentially dangerous, it is still unclear
whether the casual use of Ecstasy is as dangerous as authorities believe. What
is certain is that the drug causes distinct changes to the body which, unless
understood, may lead to fatal complications in certain circumstances.
In almost all cases of MDMA-related deaths in
Britain, overheating of the body and inadequate replacement of fluids have been
noted as the primary causes of death. Yet in the United States, studies appear
to implicate other causes since no deaths from overheating have yet been
reported. It seems that normal healthy people are unlikely to die as a result
of taking MDMA, but people with pre-existing conditions such as a weak heart or
asthma may react in extreme ways and are well-advised not to take it.
Not all physical
problems associated with the drug are immediate. Medium term and long term
effects have been reported which are quite disturbing, yet not all are
conclusively linked to the drug's use. Medium term effects include the
possibility of contracting the liver disease hepatitis or risking damage to the
kidneys. However, animal studies show no such damage (although it is readily
admitted by researchers that animal studies are far from conclusive since
humans react in different ways than rats and monkeys to the drug), and cases of
human liver or kidney damage have so far only been reported in Britain.
Nonetheless, evidence to date suggests that alcohol and Ecstasy taken at the
same time may result in lasting harm to bodily organs.
Evidence that MDMA causes
long-term cellular damage to the brain has, until recently, been based on
experiments with animals alone; the most common method of detection is to cut
out a section of the brain, and measure the level of the chemical serotonin.
This is performed weeks or
months after use of a suspect drug. If the serotonin level, which is lowered as
a result of the use of many drugs, fails to return to normal, then it is
probable that the drug in question has caused damage to the cells of that part
of the brain. Ecstasy has been implicated in causing brain damage in this way,
but in most cases, the serotonin level returns to normal, albeit after a long
time.
Early
experiments with monkeys, in which they were found to have permanent brain
damage as a result of being administered MDMA, were used to link brain damage
in humans to Ecstasy use. These
early concerns led to the drug being classified as extremely dangerous, and
although the results of the research were doubted by some and criticised as
invalid, no attempt was made to change the classification. However, the latest
available data regarding permanent brain damage in humans who have taken
Ecstasy regularly over many years (as little as once a week for four years)
seem to justify the cautious approach taken in the past. The psychological
effects of taking Ecstasy are also a major cause for concern. It is clear that
the mind is more readily damaged by the drug than is the body. It is not
difficult to find occasional or regular users of the drug who will admit to
suffering mental damage as a result. Paranoia, depression, loss of motivation
and desire, bouts of mania - all are common, and not unusual side effects
of the drug.
To be fair to those who
claim that Ecstasy frees the personality by removing one's defences against
psychological attack, it is true that the drug can be liberating for some
users. Unfortunately, the experience is likely to be short-lived, and there is
always the danger is that one's normal life might seem dull by comparison. .*
Perhaps the most
damning evidence urging against the use of Ecstasy is that it is undoubtedly an
addictive substance, but one that quickly loses its ability to transport the
mind, while it increases its effect upon the body. Yet, unlike the classic
addictive drugs, heroin, opium, morphine and so on, Ecstasy does not produce
physical withdrawal symptoms. In fact, because one becomes quickly tolerant of
its effect on the mind, it is necessary to forgo its use for a while in order
to experience again its full effect. Any substance which produces such a strong
effect on the user should be treated with appropriate respect and caution.
You are advised to spend about 10 minutes on
Questions 1 - 9.
Decide which of the answers best completes the
following sentences.
Write your answers your Answer Sheet.
The first one has been done for you as an example.
Example: In recent years, use of the illegal drug
Ecstasy in Britain:
a) has increased
b) has decreased alarmingly
c) has decreased
d) has increased a little
Q1. It is not known whether:
a) drugs change the way the body reacts
b) the British Medical Journal has reported seven deaths
caused Ecstasy
c) Ecstasy alone was responsible for the 14 deaths in
Britain
d) Ecstasy causes changes to the body
Q2. The use of Ecstasy:
a) is usually fatal
b) is less dangerous than the authorities believe
c) is harmless when used as a dance drug
d) none of the above
Q3. Deaths from Ecstasy are sometimes caused
by:
a) people with pre-existing conditions
b) too much fluid in the body
c) overheating of the body
d) all of the above
Q4. MDMA studies conducted on animals:
a) show damage to the kidneys
b) cannot provide absolute proof of the effect of the drug
on humans
c) are cruel and have been discontinued
d) have yet to indicate a long-term brain damage
Questions 5 - 9
Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
Write your answers in your Answer Sheet.
Q5. Permanent damage to the body may result if
Ecstasy is taken simultaneously with
Q6. Cellular damage to the brain is detected by measuring the amount of
Q7. The serotonin level of Ecstasy users takes a long time to
Q8. One of the positive effects of taking Ecstasy is that it can
Q9. Ecstasy produces no withdrawal symptoms even though it is
Answer:
1. C 2. D 3. C 4. B 5.
alcohol 6. (the chemical) serotonin 7. return to
normal 8. free the personality / liberate someusers
/ remove one's defenses 9. addictive
Komentar
Posting Komentar