Widespread media coverage tells us today of a new drug that halts

Question

Widespread media coverage tells us today of a new drug that “halts” Alzheimer’s symptoms “for three years.” The news is based on a press release issued yesterday that highlighted positive early results of research into the use of intravenous immunoglobulin to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a medication made by harvesting antibodies from donated blood. It is currently used to treat severe forms of infection and a number of autoimmune conditions (where the immune system attacks healthy tissue).

The idea behind using IVIG to treat Alzheimer’s disease is that it could encourage the immune system to “attack” abnormal clumps of protein (amyloid plaques) that can develop in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Some media coverage of the press release was inaccurate.  The Daily Express  tells us there is a “pill to beat Alzheimer’s” when IVIG is actually given by injection into a blood vessel.  The Daily Mail  describes it as a “new vaccine,” which is technically incorrect as it implies only one injection needs to be given when in fact IVIG was injected every two weeks.

Once past the somewhat misleading headlines, most coverage does mention that it may be 10 years before this drug can be available, if it passes further scrutiny. IVIG can also be very expensive to manufacture, so this may limit its availability through the national health service.

Limited conclusions can be drawn from this research as it is in its early stage, was conducted on a small number of people, and was not peer-reviewed. Larger studies that compare IVIG to other existing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are required to determine how safe and effective the drug is.    1 
 1. Which of the following would be the most fitting title to this passage?

a. New Drug to Combat Alzheimer’s to Be Released on the Market 
b. Alzheimer’s Cure a Complete Fabrication 
c. Miracle Pill for Alzheimer’s Has Patients Hopeful 
d. Weakened Immune Systems of Patients to Blame for Alzheimer’s 
e. Reports of Potential Breakthrough Alzheimer’s Treatment Both Premature and Misinformed

2 
 2. The author’s attitude about the medication being studied to treat Alzheimer’s would be best described as:

a. skeptical 
b. ambivalent 
c. stoic 
d. enthusiastic 
e. cantankerous

3 
 3. According to the passage, all of the following are true about IVIG EXCEPT:

a. IVIG will be administered by injection. 
b. IVIG will encourage the immune system to fight proteins in the brain. 
c. IVIG can be defined as a vaccine. 
d. IVIG may not be available for 10 years or more. 
e. IVIG may not be cost-efficient to produce.

4 
 4. Which of the following would best describe the purpose of the fourth paragraph?

a. It refutes an argument presented by others in the medical field. 
b. It provides an objective approach that has been expounded upon by many. 
c. It serves to introduce the author’s misgivings about the media. 
d. It denounces the accuracy of a study. 
e. It combines the background information with the opinions of different medical professionals.

5 
 5. Which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree with?

a. Exciting new medical breakthroughs regarding the treatment of Alzheimer’s could be around the corner, but it is unknown how long the road ahead is. 
b. The use of IVIG should be introduced to senile mice before it is used to treat people. 
c. Research dedicated to a drug that doesn’t attack abnormal clumps but rather coaxes them should be paramount for any scientists involved in this study. 
d. The media have a tendency to deliver misleading information to the public because sensationalism sells. 
e. A national healthcare system could introduce medications to people with Alzheimer’s who couldn’t afford it otherwise.

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 257 Date: 28-Jun-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

aarav293 · Answer

In Q3 , Is not choice 2 also wrong??

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. According to the passage, all of the following are true about IVIG EXCEPT:

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

In the  fourth paragraph , the author states that although a news source called it one, a vaccine would technically only be administered once, and this drug will need to be delivered every two weeks. The drug will be administered by injection, so choice a is incorrect. The answer is not  choice b . The author reports that IVIG will encourage the immune system to fight proteins in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients. The answer is not  choice d.  The author reports that IVIG may not be available for 10 or more years. The answer is not  choice e.  The author states that IVIG may be expensive to manufacture.

Answer: C

Tminaa · Answer

In Q5, how A is the answer and not C?

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

5. Which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree with?

Difficulty Level:   650

Explanation

Throughout the passage, the author emphasizes the need for caution and highlights several points that suggest the current state of the research is preliminary and uncertain. The author mentions that media coverage may be inaccurate, emphasizes the early stage of the research, the small sample size, the lack of peer review, and the potential challenges related to cost and availability. The passage also mentions that it may be 10 years before the drug is available, if it passes further scrutiny. Therefore, the author is likely to agree with the statement that exciting breakthroughs may be possible, but the road ahead is uncertain and may take time. This aligns with the cautious and measured tone of the passage.

Answer: A

Khannn7988 · Answer

1 question why option 1) is wrong and option 5 is correct

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. Which of the following would be the most fitting title to this passage?

Explanation

a  is incorrect because it suggests that the drug is ready for release on the market, which is not the case. The passage clearly states that the research is in its early stages, and it may take up to 10 years before the drug becomes available, if it passes further scrutiny. Additionally, the drug has not yet been proven to be effective or safe through larger studies.

b  is too extreme and incorrect because it dismisses the potential breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment altogether. While the passage highlights the limitations and premature nature of the research, it does not suggest that the entire concept of using IVIG to treat Alzheimer’s is a fabrication. Rather, it emphasizes the need for further research and scrutiny.

c  is misleading and incorrect because it portrays the treatment as a miracle pill that gives patients hope, which is not entirely supported by the information in the passage. While the early results of the research are positive, the limitations and uncertainties surrounding the treatment are also highlighted. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to characterize it as a  "miracle pill"  at this stage.

d  is incorrect because it misinterprets the focus of the research. While the treatment involves using IVIG to stimulate the immune system to target abnormal protein clumps in the brain, it does not suggest that weakened immune systems are to blame for Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease is a complex condition with multifactorial causes, and the research discussed in the passage is just one potential approach to treatment.

e   is the most fitting because it accurately summarizes the key points of the passage. It acknowledges the potential breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment but highlights that the reports are premature due to the early stage of the research and the need for further studies. Additionally, it addresses the issue of misinformation in the media coverage, which misrepresented the nature of the treatment.

Answer: E

Widespread media coverage tells us today of a new drug that halts

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Widespread media coverage tells us today of a new drug that halts

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