Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to Indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 5.
The term "virus" is derived from the Latin word for poison or slime. It was originally applied to the noxious stench emanating from swamps that was thought to cause a variety of diseases in the centuries before microbes were discovered and specifically linked to illness. But it was not until almost the end of the nineteenth century that a true virus was proven to be the cause of a disease.
The nature of viruses made them impossible to detect for many years even after bacteria had been discovered and studied. Not only are viruses too small to be seen with a light microscope, they also cannot be detected through their biological activity, except as it occurs in conjunction with other organisms. In fact, viruses show no traces of biological activity by themselves. Unlike bacteria, they are not living agents in the strictest sense. Viruses are very simple pieces of organic material composed only of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, enclosed in a coat of protein made up of simple structural units. (Some viruses also contain carbohydrates and lipids.) They are parasites, requiring human, animal, or plant cells to live. The virus replicates by attaching to a cell and injecting its nucleic acid.’ once inside the cell, the DNA or RNA that contains the virus' genetic information takes over the cell's biological machinery, and the cell begins to manufacture viral proteins rather than its own.
Question 1. Before microbes were discovered it was believed that some diseases were caused by__________.
A. germ-carrying insects B. certain strains of bacteria
C. foul odors released from swamps D. slimy creatures living near swamps
Question 2. The word "proven" in the passage is closest meaning to____________.
A. shown B. feared C. imagined D. considered
Question 3. The word "nature” in the passage is closest in meaning to____________.
A. self-sufficiency B. shapes C. characteristics D. speed
Question 4. The author implies that bacteria were investigated earlier than viruses because____________.
A. bacteria are easier to detect B. bacteria are harder to eradicate
C. viruses are extremely poisonous D. viruses are found only in hot climates
Question 5. All of the following may be components of a virus EXCEPT____________.
A. RNA B. plant cells C. carbohydrates D. a coat of protein
Question 1. Before microbes were discovered it was believed that some diseases were caused by__________.
A. germ-carrying insects B. certain strains of bacteria
C. foul odors released from swamps D. slimy creatures living near swamps
Question 2. The word "proven" in the passage is closest meaning to____________.
A. shown B. feared C. imagined D. considered
Question 3. The word "nature” in the passage is closest in meaning to____________.
A. self-sufficiency B. shapes C. characteristics D. speed
Question 4. The author implies that bacteria were investigated earlier than viruses because____________.
A. bacteria are easier to detect B. bacteria are harder to eradicate
C. viruses are extremely poisonous D. viruses are found only in hot climates
Question 5. All of the following may be components of a virus EXCEPT____________.
A. RNA B. plant cells C. carbohydrates D. a coat of protein
