Texto 1

Why is cancer so common?

Hundreds of thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK. It is not one disease; there
are over 200 different types, each with its own symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment. Cancer starts
when cells in our bodies start to reproduce out of control, forming new, abnormal cells. These abnormal cells
form lumps, known as tumors. If the cells from tumors cannot spread, then the tumors are benign. They are
not cancerous and can usually be removed. If the cells are able to invade nearby healthy tissue and organs, or
spread around the body through the blood or lymphatic system causing further tumors to grow, then the
tumors are malignant or cancerous. These cancer cells are likely to spread if the tumor is not treated.
Every cell in our body contains DNA. It carries our genetic code and contains the instructions for all the cell's
actions. If the DNA inside cells is damaged, these instructions go wrong. In fact damage to the DNA or
"mutations" as they are known, constantly occurs in our cells as they divide and reproduce. Most of the time,
the cells recognize that a mutation has occurred and repair the DNA, or self-destruct and die. When a number
of mutations have occurred in the DNA of a cell, control of cell growth may be lost and the cells do not die.
Instead they start to follow abnormal instructions that make them reproduce and grow, producing more and
more of these mutated cells - this is the start of a cancer.
Many factors such as smoking or too much exposure to the sun can also trigger DNA damage - leading to a
faster accumulation of the mutations which lead to cancer. A family history of cancer can also increase
chances of getting the disease, because it usually means that person starts life already having inherited some
of the DNA mutations that take down the path to cancer. A recent study has found that there are more than
80 genetic markers (i.e. mutated genes) that can increase the risk of developing breast, prostate or ovarian
cancer, for example. Scientists believe the results could soon lead to widespread use of DNA profiling for these
cancers, though individual genetic testing for those likely to be at increased risk - such as when there is a
strong family history of a type of cancer - is already in use.
Adapted from http://www.bbc.co.uk. Access on July 12
th
2013.
1. According to the text cancer
a) May be benign or malign depending on when the body starts to reproduce cells out of control.
b) Is benign when cells form lumps which are able to spread around the body and can be removed.
c) Is diagnosed on hundreds of thousands of people and there is only one kind of illness.
d) Is one illness which presents evidence for the same symptom and methods of treatment.
e) Is malignant when cells are able to multiply around the body causing additional tumors to grow.
2. The text does not support the following statements EXCEPT
a) Malignant tumors are expected to extend if the tumor is not taken care of.
b) The starting of a cancer may be controlled when they are removed.
c) The starting of a cancer is identified by the variety of lumps, tumors, and tissue.
d) The starting of a cancer may be diagnosed if further tumors grow in the healthy tissue of cells.
e) The starting of a cancer may be successfully controlled over two hundred different types.
3. The best definitions for the word trigger (line 17) and path (line 20) respectively are
a) Stimulate harm.
b) Provoke - procedure.
c) Stimulate - damage.
d) Prevent - approaching.
e) Evade - procedure.

4. Translate the following extract from the text:
A recent study has found that there are more than 80 genetic markers (i.e. mutated genes) that can increase
the risk of developing breast, prostate or ovarian cancer, for example. Scientists believe the results could soon
lead to widespread use of DNA profiling for these cancers, though individual genetic testing for those likely to
be at increased risk - such as when there is a strong family history of a type of cancer - is already in use.
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Texto 2

How to live longer

Some aspects of our health and vitality are governed by our genes and how our mother behaves during
pregnancy, but many lifestyle factors; including fitness, diet and weight all impact on our ability to live a long
and healthy life. Even before we are born, our health can be affected by the lifestyle choices our mother
makes. Studies have shown that heavy drinking during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome in
babies - which can cause a life-long learning disability as well as physical problems. Smoking can also affect
their development. Research also suggests a pregnant woman's diet can increase her child's risk of obesity by
changing the unborn baby's DNA.
Getting outdoors is also a key as sunlight is an important source of vitamin D. At present one in four children
are deficient in this vitamin, which is needed for building strong and healthy bones. Vitamin D helps our bodies
to absorb calcium and phosphorus from our diets. The pressures of home and family life can make it feel like
there's little time to exercise. Aside from weight loss, there is a lot to gain from exercise and it can make a
huge difference to staying healthy. In childhood our bones are strong and, if they break, they usually repair
quickly. When we get older this process slows down and our joints can become weak and fragile. We begin to
lose bone density from our mid-30s, which is a normal part of ageing.
We all know that friends are important for a happy life, but it has recently been discovered that friendship
could actually help us live longer. Studies on loneliness have found that social isolation is associated with a
higher rate of death in older people and loneliness is the "hidden killer" of the elderly. In a similar vein,
research has shown that people who marry live longer than those who are single. The researchers believe that
those who marry have better social support networks, minimizing the risk of isolation.
A good diet is central to overall good health, though avoiding certain foods and drinks may help prolong your
life. Eating too much high-calorie food rich in simple carbohydrates or fat could lead to weight gain. Some fats
are known to be particularly bad for you. Trans-fats, made from hydrogenated vegetable oil, can be found in
margarine, biscuits, cakes and fast food. It can raise the level of our 'bad' cholesterol leading to heart disease
and stroke. Although there are measures we can take to help us live a long and healthy life, there may be an
element of luck involved - depending on our DNA. Maybe one day in the future, we will be able to predict how
long we will live for.
Adapted from http://www.bbc.co.uk. Access on July 12th 2013.

5. According to the text peoples life and strength
a) Impact the ability to live a long and unhealthy life even before being born.
b) Are governed by the way mothers misbehave during pregnancy.
c) Are ruled by many standards of living such as diet, weight, and fitness.
d) Can be governed by genes and motherhood.
e) Are managed by the lifestyle choices parents make.

6. Getting outdoors is essential to build healthy bones since
a) Bones are weak in childhood and get stronger in elderly.
b) Bones repair quickly after people get older.
c) Sunlight pressure family and home life due to little time to exercise.
d) Exercise can make a vast variation to keep on healthy.
e) Sunlight is an important source of Vitamin D, which helps to take in calcium.

7. Studies on health and vitality have shown that
a) Smoking can affect babies development as well as the pregnant womans diet.
b) Pregnancy is highly affected by drinking, smoking and physical disability.
c) A pregnant womans diet should drop childs risk of obesity.
d) Intense drinking during pregnancy may cause physical problems.
e) The pressure of babies, mothers and diets may interfere in lifestyle choice.

8. Studies on loneliness have found that
a) Friendship could really help people live longer.
b) Married people develop better social network, which maximize the risk of isolation.
c) Single people live longer than the married ones due to less stress and arguing topics.
d) The risk of isolation is minimized by those people who do not marry.
e) Social isolation is unrelated with a higher rate of death in older people.

9. The expression in a similar vein (line 19) is closest in meaning to
a) Unlike the tendency.
b) Contrasting the vein.
c) In a comparable pattern.
d) Facing a strange outline.
e) In additional.

10. According to the text A good diet is central to overall good health, though avoiding
certain foods and drinks may help prolong your life." Have you already paid attention to
the amount and quality of food and drink you daily take? Do you get enough sunlight?
Are you aware of how the benefits of lifestyle factors impact your life? Are there any
steps to take in order to deserve a longer life? Support your answers.
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