Penicillin
1. The word pivotal in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
P1. The discovery of penicillin is one of the most pivotal ones in history. (A) precarious (B) auspicious
Penicillin is historically noteworthy because it is the first drug that was (C) momentous (D) extraneous
effective against numerous formerly lethal diseases such as syphilis and
staphylococcus infections. Penicillin is still commonly used today, though 2. What can be inferred about an antibiotic from the information in paragraph
there are new strains of bacteria which are resistant to it. It was also the 2?
(A) It speeds up the healing process.
first organically occurring antibiotic to be discovered, although many refer
(B) It prevents bacteria from penetrating.
to penicillin as just "medicine." (C) It weakens the body's immune system.
(D) It eliminates infections in numerous ways.
P2. The definition of "antibiotic" is not an exciting one. An antibiotic is a
microorganism that destroys other microorganisms. Most commonly, 3. The word their in the passage refers to
antibiotics are used to fight and cure infections. The bacteria from an (A) bacteria (B) types (C) antibiotics (D) forms
infection are either killed or have their growth terminated. If this happens,
the body's normal defense system takes over and finishes the job of 4. Why does the author mention "broad-spectrum" antibiotics in paragraph 2?
attacking the harmful bacteria. There are many types of antibiotics, and (A) To prove that antibiotics are very effective
they work in their own different ways. For example, an antibiotic might (B) To explain how one type of antibiotics work
hinder a bacterium's capability to turn glucose into energy, or its (C) To contrast antibiotics with bacteria
capability to create its cell wall. When this occurs, the bacterium dies (D) To introduce two types of antibiotics
instead of duplicating. Some antibiotics are effective in treating a wide
variety of infections and are known as "broad-spectrum" antibiotics. 5. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 3 about prescribed
Others are only to be used against certain types of bacteria and are called medication?
(A) This type of medication can be prescribed without knowing a person's
"narrow-spectrum" antibiotics.
condition.
(B) It is hazardous to take prescribed medicine without carefully following the
P3. Antibiotics, like other forms of prescribed medication, need to be directions.
taken exactly as prescribed. It is important to inform the medical (C) Antiseptics are the most dangerous forms of prescribed medication.
professional of any drug allergies, current medications, and daily (D) Prescription drugs should only be used during an emergency situation.
supplements taken. Furthermore, antibiotics are not used in every
situation. Common adverse reactions associated with using penicillin 6. The word adverse in the passage is closest in meaning to
include diarrhea, hypersensitivity, nausea, and rashes. They are rarely (A) unintentional (B) hostile
useful when fighting sinus infections, ear infections, coughing, or (C) unwarranted (D) negative
bronchitis. Antibiotics have no effect on colds. Antibiotics come in a
legion of forms, such as pills, liquids, shots, drops, and others. 7. The word legion in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) core (B) facility (C) mixture (D) host
P5. The origin of penicillin dates back to the 1800s. During this period, no
one knew much about diseases. Pain killers (anesthetics) were not yet 8. According to paragraph 4, which of the following statements is true in
invented; neither were antiseptics. People were not yet aware of the regard to surgical instruments during the early 1800s?
(A) They were very uncomfortable to use.
existence of germs and bacteria. Hence, it was common practice to reuse
(B) They were kept in unhygienic places.
surgical instruments without much cleaning from the previous use. In (C) They were only used in dire situations.
1847, Ignaz Semmelweis suggested that medical professionals use a (D) They were surprisingly unsanitary.
cleansing compound called calcium hypochlorite, in particular when
delivering new babies. Semmelweis is called the "savior of mothers," 9. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the
although his suggestion was rejected until years after his death. highlighted sentence?
(A) Semmelweis' work greatly influenced Joseph Lister's own research on how
P6. In 1867 Joseph Lister, an English surgeon and scientist who based his to sterilize all different types of surgical instruments.
work on that of Semmelweis, devised an antiseptic system of sterilization (B) Semmelweis successfully came up with an antiseptic system in which Lister
for all surgical procedures. While continuing his research, four years later, made a significant improvement on in 1867.
Lister noticed that mold from produce and cheese weakens harmful germs. (C) Dr. Lister was able to perfect an antiseptic system for sterilization for all
"Listerine," a common brand of mouthwash, is named after Joseph Lister. different kinds of surgery which was begun by Semmelsweis in 1867.
In 1896, a French medical student named Ernest Duchesne discovered a (D) Based on Semmelweis' work, a British doctor named Joseph Lister was
mold which could kill bacteria. His work, like that of Semmelweis initially, able to come up with a sterilization process for all types of operation
was ignored by the medical community. procedures in 1867.
10. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 6 as events leading to the
P7. Alexander Fleming, a young research assistant at St. Mary's Hospital discovery of penicillin EXCEPT
in London, went to France during World War I to treat wounded soldiers. (A) leaving the lid off of one experimental dish too long
Many infections he saw were untreatable. After the war, Fleming was (B) Fleming's experience during World War I
determined to find a better way of treating these infections. A By luck, he (C) fortuitous turn of events leading to the discovery of the mold
discovered the mold he was seeking. B As the story goes, Fleming left the (D) uninterrupted research efforts by Fleming
lid off of one of his experimental dishes too long. C When he returned
from vacation days later, he noticed that a fungus had killed his bacterial 11. According to the passage, development of the medical application of
sample, by accident. D He believed penicillin would be an effective penicillin was credited to
disinfectant because it is highly potent without being too toxic like the (A) an unexpected turn of events (B) several individuals
antiseptics of the day. Despite a brief interruption between 1931 and 1934, (C) Howard Florey (D) Alexander Fleming
Fleming continued to improve the effectiveness of penicillin until 1940.
12. Look at the four squares [◼] that indicate where the following sentence
P8. In 1938 Australian pathologist Howard Florey, along with a powerful could be added to the passage.
research department at Oxford University in England, continued work This discovery was accidental, much like that of the telephone.
where Fleming left off. A year later a German-born British biochemist
13. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is
Ernst Chain joined Florey's team. Their attempts to treat humans failed
provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer
because of insufficient volumes of penicillin. However, they discovered choices that express the most important ideas in the passage.
that penicillin is harmless and effective on mice. By 1942, lives were saved Penicillin, the first type of antibiotics to be used, was discovered by several
with penicillin. In 1945, Fleming, Florey, and Ernst Chain earned the researchers' efforts, and marked the significant advancement in medicine.
Nobel Prize for the discovery of penicillin. •
•
•
Answer Choices
(A) Penicillin was the first antibiotic to be reproduced in a lab.
(B) A precise knowledge of antibiotics was necessary for the discovery of
penicillin.
(C) Ignaz Semmelweis was credited with the discovery.
(D) Penicillin was the first organic antibiotic to be discovered.
(E) Fleming found out a possible curative element of penicillin by accident.
(F) Several individuals are responsible for the discovery of penicillin.
Penicillin
CDCDB / DDDDD / BB DEF
