The Growing Global Threat Of Antibiotic Resistance Ielts Reading Answers May 2026

Antibiotic resistance is a classic example of evolution in action. When a patient takes antibiotics, the drug kills the vast majority of susceptible bacteria. However, due to random genetic mutations, a tiny fraction of bacteria may possess inherent traits that allow them to survive. These survivors multiply, passing on their resistant genes to subsequent generations. More alarmingly, bacteria can share genetic material horizontally – even between different species – through processes like conjugation and transformation. This means that resistance to one antibiotic can rapidly spread across entire bacterial populations and even jump from harmless bacteria to dangerous pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Escherichia coli.

8. One of the WHO’s objectives is to reduce infection rates through better hygiene and ________. 9. The last time a completely new class of antibiotics was discovered was in the ________. 10. Low-income countries often lack the necessary regulatory infrastructure and ________ to monitor resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a classic example of evolution

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