OET READING MATERIAL SAMPLE TEST – 2 WITH ANSWERS
1
Dr. Mihiraa’s research focuses on the brain’s response to chronic pain, particularly in cases where the pain lingers for more than six months. Her team has found that prolonged pain doesn’t merely impact pain-processing areas but alters regions associated with emotion and memory. “This leads us to wonder,” she says, “if chronic pain reshapes the brain in ways similar to trauma.” Patients in her study displayed unexpected changes in their ability to process fear and pleasure, even in the absence of pain. Mihiraa’s team noted structural shifts in the amygdala, typically seen in individuals with PTSD, after just nine months of ongoing pain. Surprisingly, these changes persisted even after significant pain relief was provided.
Question 1: Based on the passage, what inference can be made about the nature of chronic pain?
A) It only affects the brain’s pain-processing centers.
B) It may have long-term effects on emotional regulation.
C) The brain recovers quickly once the pain is relieved.
D) It causes PTSD in most patients.
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2
Dr. Mihiraa’s work on the gut-brain connection has revealed a peculiar interaction between intestinal bacteria and mood regulation. Her studies indicate that a specific strain of gut bacteria appears to influence serotonin production, a neurotransmitter critical to feeling calm and content. Patients with high levels of this bacterial strain reported improved moods, even without any psychiatric interventions. Mihiraa suggests that “the gut might offer a novel pathway to treating mood disorders,” though the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. Other researchers, however, caution that these findings might be overestimated due to the complexity of mood regulation. Despite this, Mihiraa’s team is confident that the connection between gut health and mood is worth exploring further.
Question 2: What conclusion can be drawn from Dr. Patel’s findings?
A) Gut bacteria alone can treat mood disorders.
B) Serotonin is produced primarily in the gut.
C) Gut health could revolutionize mental health treatments.
D) Mood regulation is fully understood with current knowledge.
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3
In her latest study, Dr. Mihiraa explores the ethical implications of gene-editing technology in human embryos. She believes that while the technology holds promise for preventing genetic diseases, there’s a significant risk of misuse for non-therapeutic purposes, like choosing cosmetic traits. According to Mihiraa, this slippery slope could lead to societal issues, including widened inequalities. She argues that a strict regulatory framework is essential to prevent these abuses. However, some scientists disagree, viewing gene editing as a tool for human enhancement and a natural step in evolution. Mihiraa remains firm in her belief that unchecked gene editing could cause more harm than good.
Question 3: What is Dr. Mihiraa’s stance on gene-editing technology?
A) She is optimistic about its potential in all areas.
B) She is supportive of gene editing without restrictions.
C) She believes it should be limited to cosmetic enhancements.
D) She sees it as a potential danger if left unchecked.
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4
Dr. Mihiraa has conducted years of research on medical burnout, particularly among emergency room physicians. Her findings suggest that long hours and emotionally intense cases are taking a toll on mental health, often leading to increased depression and substance abuse. Mihiraa argues that hospitals have a responsibility to mitigate these effects by providing mental health support and reasonable work hours. She has faced opposition from hospital administrators, who claim staffing issues make these changes unrealistic. Nonetheless, Mihiraa is outspoken about her view that patient care can suffer when doctors are overworked and under-supported. “Our doctors deserve better,” she says, “and so do their patients.”
Question 4: How does Dr. Mihiraa feel about the current state of physician well-being?
A) She believes hospital administrators are making adequate efforts.
B) She thinks physicians should prioritize their own mental health.
C) She thinks hospitals need to be more accountable.
D) She believes that burnout is an inevitable part of the job.
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5.
Dr. Mihiraa’s study on cardiovascular health introduces a novel medication aimed at improving blood vessel elasticity in patients with atherosclerosis. In her paper, she refers to the “flexibility index,” a term she uses to measure how well blood vessels contract and relax. “The higher the flexibility index, the better the blood flow, reducing heart strain,” Mihiraa explains. Although promising, the medication comes with side effects that may limit its usage in certain populations. Mihiraa notes that a careful balance must be achieved between benefits and potential risks. She anticipates that future studies will refine the treatment’s applicability to high-risk patients.
Question 5: In the passage, what does the term “flexibility index” most likely refer to?
A) The likelihood of adverse reactions to medication.
B) A risk factor in developing heart disease.
C) The elasticity of a patient’s muscles.
D) A sign of vascular responsiveness
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6.
Dr. Mihiraa’s report on metabolic syndrome highlights a key biomarker called “adiponectin” which, she states, inversely correlates with the presence of fat deposits around organs. “Higher levels of adiponectin are generally associated with healthier metabolic profiles,” Mihiraa notes, emphasizing that low adiponectin often signals an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. She explains that lifestyle changes can sometimes raise adiponectin levels, providing a promising preventive approach. However, the exact role of adiponectin in disease prevention remains under investigation. Mihiraa’s team plans to explore additional therapeutic methods to boost adiponectin in at-risk populations.
Question 6: In this passage, what is the term “biomarker” most likely used to describe?
A) A substance indicating risk for certain health conditions.
B) A new type of treatment for metabolic syndrome.
C) A lifestyle change that impacts metabolic health.
D) A protein essential for fat metabolism.
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7
Dr. Mihiraa discusses a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research involving a protein linked to memory retention. She explains that this protein, known as synapsin, appears to deteriorate more rapidly in Alzheimer’s patients than in healthy individuals. By stabilizing synapsin levels in lab tests, researchers noticed significant improvements in memory retention for those with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Mihiraa believes this discovery could pave the way for a new class of medications aimed specifically at preventing synapsin breakdown. She cautions, however, that more trials are needed before this can be a viable treatment. The study has generated excitement as a hopeful step toward altering the course of the disease.
Question 7: What is the main point of Dr. Thomas’s discussion?
A) Synapsin has been shown to cure Alzheimer’s in all cases.
B) Memory issues in Alzheimer’s are now fully understood.
C) Stabilizing synapsin may help treat Alzheimer’s.
D) Alzheimer’s patients benefit from early memory loss.
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8
Dr. Mihiraa’s latest research provides insights into the body’s immune response to viral infections. She notes that the immune system’s initial response is not just to attack the virus but to contain it, limiting its spread. Mihiraa observed that if this containment phase fails, immune cells quickly shift to a more aggressive attack mode. Interestingly, her team found that this secondary response can sometimes result in more damage to the body’s own tissues than to the virus itself. “Balancing these responses is crucial for reducing infection impact,” Mihiraa emphasizes. She suggests that future treatments could focus on better managing the containment phase to avoid unnecessary tissue damage.
Question 8: What is the main takeaway from Dr. Mihiraa’s research?
A) Manipulating immune responses could alleviate infection severity.
B) The body’s immune response should be aggressive from the start.
C) Viral infections rarely cause tissue damage.
D) Aggressive immune responses always prevent infection spread.
1. Answer: B) It may have long-term effects on emotional regulation.
Rationale: The passage discusses changes in brain areas associated with emotion and memory, and the persistence of these changes even after pain relief, implying a lasting effect on emotional processing.
2. Answer: C) There is potential for new mental health treatments based on gut health.
Rationale: Mihiraa mentions that the gut might be a new pathway to treating mood disorders, suggesting potential for future treatments.
3. Answer: D) She sees it as a potential danger if left unchecked.
Rationale: Mihiraa emphasizes the need for regulation to prevent potential societal harm, indicating her cautious attitude toward gene editing.
4. Answer: C) She thinks hospitals need to be more accountable.
Rationale: Mihiraa argues for hospitals to mitigate burnout by supporting doctors, showing her stance that institutional change is necessary.
5. Answer: D) A sign of vascular responsiveness
Rationale: The passage describes the “flexibility index” as related to how well blood vessels contract and relax, indicating it measures blood vessel responsiveness.
6. Answer: A) A substance indicating risk for certain health conditions.
Rationale: Adiponectin is described as inversely correlated with disease risk, which aligns with the idea of a biomarker being an indicator of health status.
7. Answer: C) Stabilizing synapsin may help treat Alzheimer’s.
Rationale: Mihiraa emphasizes the potential of synapsin stabilization as a future treatment, suggesting this as the main takeaway.
8. Answer: A) Manipulating immune responses could alleviate infection severity.
Rationale: Mihiraa suggests that focusing on balancing immune responses, particularly in the containment phase, could lessen the severity of infections.
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