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

The IELTS reading passage titled The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance

The mechanism of resistance is a natural evolutionary process. When a population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic, most are killed, but those with unique genetic mutations may survive. These survivors then multiply, passing on their resistant traits. While this process is natural, human activity has put it into overdrive. In many parts of the world, antibiotics are available over the counter without a prescription, leading to their use for viral infections like the common cold, against which they are entirely ineffective. The IELTS reading passage titled The Growing Global

A significant majority of antibiotics in some countries are used for animal husbandry. Q: Name one stewardship measure

The widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture and human medicine has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Farmers use antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease in livestock, while doctors prescribe them to treat bacterial infections. However, the overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the development of resistance. What natural process causes bacteria to develop the

3. TRUE Explanation: Paragraph C states: "...doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold... against which these drugs are entirely ineffective... simultaneously killing off harmless bacteria and allowing resistant strains to colonise."

Antibiotics have been hailed as one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the 20th century. Since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, these ‘miracle drugs’ have saved millions of lives by combating bacterial infections that were once fatal. However, in recent decades, the efficacy of these drugs has been steadily eroding. The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – specifically antibiotic resistance – is now recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity.

• Q: Name one stewardship measure. — "Restricting over-the-counter antibiotic sales."
• Q: Give one technological tool for surveillance. — "Whole-genome sequencing."

10. What natural process causes bacteria to develop the ability to survive drug treatments?
11. What type of dosing in livestock creates a perfect environment for resistant bacteria to multiply?
12. What programmes are being implemented to control how doctors prescribe antibiotics in hospitals?
13. Why have large pharmaceutical companies stopped developing new antibiotics?