English and more

Reading Time — 3 minutes

Read & take down 3 main ideas: 3:00

The discovery of penicillin and other antibiotic drugs is the most dramatic medical development of the twentieth century. These new drugs quickly became known as “wonder drugs” because they saved so many lives that were threatened by major forms of infection. The research that led to their development rested on the belief that chemicals could be found that would destroy specific microorganisms without injuring the human body at the same time.

Advances in chemistry and in the knowledge of bacteria quickened the discovery of such chemicals. In 1933, the first of the sulfa drugs, prontosil, was tested clinically on humans and was found to cure blood infections that would otherwise have been fatal. In 1941, the first successful human tests of penicillin were conducted on cases of streptococcus infections.

The discovery of penicillin laid the foundation for even more powerful weapons against specific diseases. Within the next decade, researchers identified some 200 antibiotic substances that were effective against one or another type of bacteria. One of the most important was streptomycin, found to be potent against tuberculosis and other infections that were not affected by penicillin.

Antibiotics gave the medical profession powerful tools that could directly fight a very wide range of specific diseases. They made possible the survival of patients during and after surgery. No longer was it necessary to depend largely on the body’s own immune system to fight off major infections; these infections could be attacked directly with drugs. Among the most spectacular effects of antibiotics were reductions in the number of deaths from pneumonia and tuberculosis.

1. Penicillin and other antibiotics are considered the most significant medical development of the twentieth century. They were labeled "wonder drugs" due to their effectiveness in saving lives threatened by severe infections.

2. The widespread use of antibiotics also led to improvements in global sanitation efforts, which further reduced the spread of infections. Many nations implemented new hygiene standards as a direct result of these medical advances.

3. The development of antibiotics was based on the belief that specific chemicals could target and destroy microorganisms without harming the human body. This idea was accelerated by advancements in chemistry and knowledge of bacteria.

4. The first successful human tests of antibiotics, such as prontosil in 1933 and penicillin in 1941, revolutionized medicine. These drugs helped cure previously fatal infections like streptococcus and laid the foundation for the discovery of more antibiotics.

5. The discovery of antibiotics, such as streptomycin, expanded medical capabilities by targeting a wide range of bacteria. Streptomycin, in particular, was effective against tuberculosis, which had not responded to penicillin.

6. The development of antibiotics coincided with the rise of vaccines, leading to a comprehensive approach to disease prevention and treatment. This synergy between antibiotics and vaccines drastically reduced mortality rates across the globe.

7. Antibiotics played a crucial role in reducing mortality from diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis, and allowed for safer surgeries by preventing infections. They lessened the dependence on the body’s immune system for fighting major infections.

Step 3. Write your answer.

Summarize the main points made in the lecture, explaining how they differ from points made in the reading.

-...is hailed as a groundbreaking medical achievement of the twentieth century

-While the reading emphasizes ..., the lecture explains that..., partly because...

-The lecture portrays antibiotic resistance as ..., contrasting with the ... view of antibiotics presented in the reading. -In summary, while the reading passage presents antibiotics as .... that transformed healthcare by ..., the lecture provides a more cautionary perspective, focusing on ...due to ....

-The lecture underscores the ongoing challenges in ..., suggesting that ...is now being undermined by bacterial evolution.

II. TOEFL Independent Writing Task – Academic Discussion Format

Step1. Read the text

Professor:
Today we discussed the profound impact antibiotics have had on modern medicine. Not only have they drastically reduced mortality from bacterial infections, but they have also made surgeries significantly safer and enabled the treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. However, some argue that overreliance on antibiotics has led to serious issues, such as antibiotic resistance and the decline of immune system resilience.

Student A:
I think antibiotics are one of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century. Without them, even a minor infection could turn deadly. We shouldn't overlook how many lives they've saved.

Student B:
That’s true, but we also need to consider how their overuse has caused problems. Now, many bacteria are resistant to multiple antibiotics, and that’s partly due to how freely antibiotics have been prescribed and used—often unnecessarily.

Task:
Do you agree more with Student A or Student B? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

[Overview]

The lecture casts doubt on /contradicts / challenges the claims made in the reading passage regarding …

[Body]

Firstly, it challenges the idea that/of …, asserting that …

Secondly, it questions the validity of the statement that …, explaining that …

Finally, it undermines the theory of …, pointing out that … and suggesting … as a more plausible explanation.

Step 2. Write a response

Writing time-8 minutes

III. TOEFL Speaking 2_ campus announcement

Step 1. Read the following campus announcement

University Health Services Notice:
Starting next month, all antibiotics will be dispensed only with a valid prescription at the university pharmacy, as well as all local pharmacies in the city. This decision follows national health guidelines aimed at reducing antibiotic misuse and resistance. Students, especially those from countries where antibiotics are available over the counter, should familiarize themselves with this policy to avoid inconvenience.

I. Integrated Writing

Step 1. Read the text below

Step 3. Write your answer.

II. TOEFL Independent Writing Task – Academic Discussion Format

Step1. Read the text

Step 2. Write a response

Writing time-8 minutes

III. TOEFL Speaking 2_ campus announcement

Step 1. Read the following campus announcement

Step 2. Listen to a student's monologue and take notes

Step 3. Prepare and record your response to the question you hear in the audio