activity of text interpretation, aimed at students in the fifth year of elementary school, on Lyme disease in Brazil. Shall we inform ourselves about this disease? So, read the text carefully! Then answer the various interpretive questions proposed!
You can download this text comprehension activity in editable Word template ready to print in PDF and also the activity with answers.
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SCHOOL: DATE:
PROF: CLASS:
NAME:
Read:
Diagnosed for the first time in the country in 1992, Brazilian Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium that can present genetic variations depending on the region in which it is found. Of mandatory notification, cases have already been detected in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Norte.
Some rodents are natural reservoirs of the bacteria, transmitted by ticks of the genus ixodes and, in particular, the species Amblyomma Cajennense (the same that transmits spotted fever).
To transmit the disease, the tick must be attached to the skin for at least 24 hours. The manifestation of the disease occurs, in general, between three and 32 days after exposure to ticks. However, it is very difficult to define a period for the onset of symptoms, because there are cases in which they appear even years later.
Lyme disease is characterized, in its early stages, by a red spot (erythema) around the bitten area. As it gets worse, this stain spreads all over the body; hence, it is called erythema migrans. Symptoms can be malaise, fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, which can last several weeks or more, which leads to Lyme disease being constantly confused with rheumatism and fever rheumatic.
In cases where there was no treatment, the disease can progress to the third stage, in which there is impairment of the nervous system, vision and balance alterations. However, in Brazil, there are still no records of this more serious form.
Maria Ramos.
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Question 1 - Watch:
“With mandatory notification, cases have already been detected in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Norte.”
What cases does the text refer to?
Question 2 – According to the text, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted:
( ) mainly by the tick of the species Amblyomma Cajennense.
( ) occasionally by the tick of the species Amblyomma Cajennense.
( ) specifically by the tick of the species Amblyomma Cajennense.
Question 3 – According to the author of the text, “it is very difficult to define a period for the onset of symptoms” of Lyme disease. Identify the reason:
( ) “[…] the tick must remain attached to the skin for at least 24 hours.”
( ) “The manifestation of the disease occurs […] between three and 32 days after exposure to ticks.”
( ) “there are cases in which they appear even years later”.
Question 4 – In the “According to Is it over there gets worse, this stain spreads all over the body [...]”, the highlighted word was used for:
( ) correct an expression.
( ) return an expression.
( ) complement an expression.
Question 5 – In the passage “[…] what causes Lyme disease to be constantly confused with rheumatism and rheumatic fever.”, the underlined term expresses:
( ) sum.
( ) contrast.
( ) alternation.
Question 6 - According to the text, Lyme disease, if left untreated, can reach the third stage. Point to the fragment that lists the symptoms of this phase of the disease:
( ) “malaise, fever, headache”.
( ) “muscle and joint pain”.
( ) “commitment of the nervous system, changes in vision and balance”.
Question 7 - Underline the part that indicates the place below:
“However, in Brazil, there are still no records of this more serious form.”
Question 8 - It can be concluded that the Lyme disease text is intended to:
( ) criticize.
( ) debate.
( ) inform.
By Denyse Lage Fonseca
Graduated in Letters and specialist in distance education.