Snakebites

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For this exercise about snakebites in Australia, you read the text and choose the correct answer to each of the five questions. It provides practice for this reading section of the Cambridge English B1 Preliminary exam.

About 5-10 minutes.Reading Skills.Expanding stage.

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Read the text and questions below. For each question, choose the correct answer at the end of the text.

B1 Preliminary Reading Part 3: Snakebites

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Part 3
-5 questions-

Snakebites

Read the text about snakebites and answer the questions that follow.. Write A, B or C.

You're hiking with a friend, and then as you step over a tree log, a snake beneath bites your leg. One thought races through your mind, 'If you get bitten by a snake, suck out the venom.’ Terrified, you turn to your friend, but he replies, 'No way! Then we'll both die.' Is he right?

Most likely, your friend wouldn't die. But if he has an open wound in his mouth, the venom could enter his bloodstream, which is no help to either of you. So, venom sucking isn't a solution.

To understand how to treat snakebites, you need to know the difference between poisons and venoms. Poisons are toxic, in other words, dangerous, if you swallow or smell them. Venoms, on the other hand, are only toxic if they get into soft tissues and the bloodstream.

So, if you suck the venom out of a snake bite, you won't be affected. But that doesn't mean you should do it! Experts now strongly advise against it. Why? Venom enters the bloodstream extremely quickly, and trying to suck it out is ineffective because it’s faster than your reaction. The best way to prevent the venom from quickly moving through the bloodstream is to remain calm, and avoid doing anything that would increase the heart rate.

So what else should we do? Well, be aware of what snakes are in the place you are walking in. That way you will have an idea which ones are dangerous.

1. What is the writer trying to do in this text?
Answer:

A	explain the dangers of snakes.
B	advise against walking in the countryside.
C	warn about certain venomous snakes.
D	offer information about snake bites.

2. The writer advises against sucking the venom because …
Answer:

A	it tastes awful.
B	it is risky.
C	it will hurt more.
D	it will kill you.

3. According to the writer, poison ...
Answer:

A	is usually breathed in.
B	has to be injected.
C	is not the same as venom.
D	is less dangerous than venom.

4. If bitten by a snake, you should ...
Answer:

A	run to the nearest place for help.
B	not move at all.
C	try to keep cool.
D	sit and decide if it was a dangerous snake.

5. Which would be the best advice leaflet for snakebites?
Answer:

A	ATTENTION WALKERS - Based on worldwide data, millions die from snakebites every year. Take your snake bite kit with you. Be safe!
B	SAFE NOT SORRY - If you like walking or are travelling abroad, GET INFORMATION on snake species. Be careful and find out emergency contact information.
C	WORRIED ABOUT SNAKES? Read here about how to treat your own snakebites! Very few people die from bites if they follow this treatment. Follow it step by step. What Makes You Special?
D	ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SNAKES - Snake venom travels slowly, so keep calm. Only if you think it is a dangerous snake, move as fast as you can to get help. Read more about snakes here!

Your score is

Here are new words and phrases from this exercise for the B1 Preliminary Part 3 reading section of the test:

avoid
bloodstream
dangerous
heart rate
hiking
poisons
reaction
remain calm
snakebites
soft tissues
solution
suck out the venom
terrified
toxic
wound

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