The conquest of malaria in Italy
Read The conquest of malaria in Italy and check the IELTS Reading answers. The word ‘malaria’ means ‘bad air’ in Italian, and this terrible disease marked the life of the people of that country for thousands of years. Yet by 1962, Italy was officially declared malaria-free, and it has remained so e…
Passage preview
The word ‘malaria’ means ‘bad air’ in Italian, and this terrible disease marked the life of the people of that country for thousands of years. Yet by 1962, Italy was officially declared malaria-free, and it has remained so ever since. Frank Snowden’s study of this successful endeavour is a remarkable piece of historical work. Original, crystal clear, analytical and passionate, Snowden takes us to areas historians have rarely visited before.
Vocabulary from this passage
12 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- administer verb
To accurately dispense, officially apply, or carefully provide a specific remedy, drug, or medical treatment
Medical professionals must precisely administer the required dosage of the medication to avoid severe side effects.
- definitive proof noun
Compelling scientific or logical evidence that is final, ultimate, and not subject to further questioning
The comprehensive DNA analysis provided definitive proof of the suspect's direct involvement in the crime.
- digestive tract noun
The biological series of internal organs through which consumed food passes and is metabolically processed
Certain beneficial bacteria play an essential role in breaking down complex carbohydrates within the digestive tract.
- divert verb
To deliberately cause crucial resources, dedicated funds, or focused attention to alter course or destination
The government was abruptly forced to divert agricultural subsidies to quickly fund emergency disaster relief.
- endeavour noun
A significant and purposeful attempt to achieve a lofty goal; an earnest and industrious effort
Developing a viable alternative energy source remains a critical scientific endeavour for modern society.
- eradicate verb
To destroy something complex entirely; to deliberately put a permanent end to something harmful
Global health initiatives have continually sought to eradicate infectious diseases through widespread modern vaccination programs.
- extermination noun
The intentional and complete systematic destruction or mass killing of an entire specified group of organisms
The rapid unmonitored expansion of agricultural land regrettably led to the near extermination of local predators.
- impeccably adverb
In a meticulous manner that heavily aligns with the highest possible standards; faultlessly and flawlessly executed
The vast historical archives were impeccably maintained, easily allowing visiting researchers to access fragile centuries-old records.
- integral adjective
Absolutely necessary to conceptually or structurally make a whole complete; fundamentally essential to a framework
Consistent, rigorous peer review remains an absolutely integral component of the respected academic publishing process.
- rampant adjective
Flourishing, rapidly spreading, or expanding violently unchecked, especially referencing something notoriously unwelcome, detrimental, or harmful
Without strict legislative regulatory measures, severe political corruption became rampant throughout the newly established institutions.
- scourge noun
A person, abstract force, or biological entity that chronically causes great suffering, punishment, or destruction
Relentless vaccination efforts ultimately eliminated the scourge of smallpox that had plagued humanity for centuries.
- vulnerable adjective
Fundamentally susceptible to severe physical or emotional attack, damage, or harm; inherently at risk
Low-lying coastal cities are exceptionally vulnerable to the devastating environmental impacts of rising sea levels.
Answers with explanations
- 14. ["insects","mosquitoes"]
The summary needs a plural noun that experts failed to connect to malaria. The text confirms they failed to make the "further leap towards **insects**." (Mosquitoes is also a correct accepted answer based on the wider context).
- 15. miasma
The blank requires the name of the popular 19th-century theory related to unclean air. The text states that most experts subscribed to the theory of '**miasma**' which meant poisoning of the air.
- 16. hereditary
The blank needs an adjective explaining how people believed malaria was transmitted. The passage states there was a widespread belief that the disease was **hereditary**.
- 17. life expectancy
The summary requires a noun phrase describing what could be very short in rural regions. The text explicitly notes that the **life expectancy** of rural land workers in malarial zones was terrifyingly short (22.5 years).
- 18. NOT GIVEN
The text mentions that **Grassi** used **healthy human volunteers** for his experiments, but it completely lacks information about where these volunteers lived or if they **came from all parts of Italy**. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 19. TRUE
The statement claims experiments proved people could **remain healthy** in malarial zones. The text explicitly confirms this, stating definitive proof was obtained when healthy people in malarial zones were protected from bites and **remained well**. Answer: TRUE.
- 20. FALSE
The statement claims quinine was **successfully administered to all** inhabitants. The text contradicts this, noting that although the original plan was to give it to everyone, doctors were met with **hostility and stubborn refusal**, meaning not all inhabitants took it. Answer: FALSE.
- 21. E
Paragraph E contains a specific figure (**80% drop in deaths**) that demonstrates the **dramatic results** of the anti-malarial drug (quinine) strategy.
- 22. C
Paragraph C details the important **breakthrough** (discovery) by Grassi, who proved that malaria is **spread** through the digestive tract of the mosquito.
- 23. F
Paragraph F explicitly mentions the country's leading expert (**malariologist Alberto Missiroli**) who **refused** to distribute the medicine, intentionally allowing the disease to **spread unchecked**.
- 24. H
Paragraph H discusses the **contemporary relevance** of the history book. It explains that because millions still die today, the story holds immense **significance for today's readers**.
- 25. B
Paragraph B explains how the **false assumptions** (such as the miasma theory) had the consequence of holding back scientific progress, meaning **little was done** to combat the disease.
- 26. D
Paragraph D contains a direct reference to **legislation** created to support the fight against the disease, specifically the **quinine law and a quinine tax** introduced in 1904.