IELTS Reading Practice: Gene Therapy Advancements in Modern Medicine

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll explore a fascinating topic that has been gaining traction in recent years: “Gene Therapy Advancements In Modern Medicine”. This subject has appeared in past IELTS exams and, given its growing importance in the medical field, it’s likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this type of content in your IELTS Reading exam.

Gene therapy illustration

Practice Passage: Gene Therapy – A Revolution in Medical Treatment

Gene therapy, once a concept confined to science fiction, has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in modern medicine. This innovative treatment method involves modifying or replacing faulty genes to treat or prevent diseases. Over the past decade, significant advancements in gene therapy have opened up new possibilities for treating previously incurable genetic disorders, certain types of cancer, and other challenging medical conditions.

One of the most promising areas of gene therapy is in treating rare genetic disorders. For example, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a devastating neuromuscular disease, can now be addressed with gene therapy. In 2019, the FDA approved Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy treatment for children under two years old with SMA. This breakthrough has given hope to families affected by this previously untreatable condition.

Cancer treatment is another field where gene therapy is making substantial progress. CAR-T cell therapy, a type of gene therapy, has shown remarkable results in treating certain blood cancers. This approach involves modifying a patient’s own T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells more effectively. The success of CAR-T cell therapy in leukemia and lymphoma patients has led to increased research and development in this area.

Hereditary blindness is yet another condition benefiting from gene therapy advancements. In 2017, the FDA approved Luxturna, a gene therapy treatment for a rare form of inherited blindness caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene. This treatment has the potential to restore functional vision in patients who would otherwise face progressive vision loss.

Despite these exciting developments, gene therapy faces several challenges. The high cost of treatment is a significant barrier, with some therapies costing millions of dollars per patient. Additionally, potential long-term side effects and the complexity of delivery methods remain areas of ongoing research and concern.

Looking to the future, scientists are exploring gene therapy applications for more common conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and HIV/AIDS. The development of more precise gene-editing tools, like CRISPR-Cas9, is expected to further expand the possibilities of gene therapy.

As gene therapy continues to advance, it promises to revolutionize the treatment of various genetic and acquired diseases. While challenges remain, the potential to offer cures for previously untreatable conditions makes gene therapy one of the most exciting frontiers in modern medicine.

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Determine whether the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.

1. Gene therapy involves altering or replacing defective genes to treat diseases.
2. Zolgensma is a gene therapy treatment approved for adults with spinal muscular atrophy.
3. CAR-T cell therapy has been successful in treating all types of cancer.
4. Luxturna is a gene therapy treatment for a specific type of inherited blindness.
5. The cost of gene therapy treatments is currently affordable for most patients.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

6. According to the passage, gene therapy has shown promising results in treating:
   A) Only rare genetic disorders
   B) Only certain types of cancer
   C) Both rare genetic disorders and certain types of cancer
   D) All types of diseases without exception

7. The main challenge facing gene therapy mentioned in the passage is:
   A) Lack of research funding
   B) High cost of treatment
   C) Limited effectiveness
   D) Shortage of qualified medical professionals

Matching Information

Match the following statements (8-10) with the correct gene therapy treatment (A-C) mentioned in the passage.

A) Zolgensma
B) CAR-T cell therapy
C) Luxturna

8. Treats a specific form of inherited vision loss
9. Used for children under two years old with a neuromuscular disease
10. Involves modifying a patient’s own T-cells to fight cancer

Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

11. What gene-editing tool is mentioned as potentially expanding the possibilities of gene therapy?
12. Besides genetic disorders and cancer, name one common condition that scientists are exploring for potential gene therapy applications.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. True – The passage states, “This innovative treatment method involves modifying or replacing faulty genes to treat or prevent diseases.”

2. False – The passage mentions that Zolgensma is “a one-time gene therapy treatment for children under two years old with SMA.”

3. False – The passage indicates that CAR-T cell therapy has shown remarkable results in treating “certain blood cancers,” not all types of cancer.

4. True – The passage states, “In 2017, the FDA approved Luxturna, a gene therapy treatment for a rare form of inherited blindness caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene.”

5. False – The passage mentions that “The high cost of treatment is a significant barrier, with some therapies costing millions of dollars per patient.”

6. C – The passage discusses promising results for both rare genetic disorders (like SMA and hereditary blindness) and certain types of cancer (blood cancers).

7. B – The main challenge highlighted in the passage is the high cost of treatment, described as “a significant barrier.”

8. C – Luxturna is described as a treatment for “a rare form of inherited blindness.”

9. A – Zolgensma is mentioned as a treatment “for children under two years old with SMA” (spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular disease).

10. B – CAR-T cell therapy is described as involving “modifying a patient’s own T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells more effectively.”

11. CRISPR-Cas9 – The passage states, “The development of more precise gene-editing tools, like CRISPR-Cas9, is expected to further expand the possibilities of gene therapy.”

12. Heart disease – The passage mentions “heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and HIV/AIDS” as common conditions being explored for gene therapy applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: Pay attention to precise information, such as age ranges for treatments or specific types of diseases mentioned.

2. Misinterpreting “Not Given” statements: Remember that “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted in the passage.

3. Falling for distractors in multiple-choice questions: Carefully read all options and choose the one that best matches the information in the passage.

4. Exceeding word limits in short answer questions: Stick strictly to the word limit given and use words directly from the passage.

Vocabulary

• Gene therapy: /dʒiːn ˈθerəpi/ (noun) – A medical approach that involves modifying genes to treat or prevent disease.
• Groundbreaking: /ˈɡraʊndˌbreɪkɪŋ/ (adjective) – Innovative; pioneering.
• Neuromuscular: /ˌnjʊərəʊˈmʌskjʊlə/ (adjective) – Relating to both nerves and muscles.
• CAR-T cell therapy: /kɑːr tiː sel ˈθerəpi/ (noun) – A type of gene therapy that modifies T-cells to fight cancer.
• Hereditary: /həˈredɪtəri/ (adjective) – Genetically transmitted from parent to offspring.

Grammar Focus

Complex sentences with relative clauses:

• “Gene therapy, which was once confined to science fiction, has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in modern medicine.”
• “CAR-T cell therapy, a type of gene therapy, has shown remarkable results in treating certain blood cancers.”

These sentences use relative clauses to provide additional information about the main subject. Practice forming similar complex sentences to improve your writing skills for the IELTS exam.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely across all passages and questions.

2. Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify key information without reading every word.

3. Develop your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to science and medicine.

4. Practice various question types: Familiarize yourself with all IELTS Reading question formats.

5. Read scientific articles regularly: Expose yourself to complex texts on topics like gene therapy to improve your comprehension skills.

6. Use context clues: When encountering unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.

7. Stay focused: Maintain concentration throughout the test, even if you find some passages challenging.

By following these tips and practicing regularly with passages like the one on gene therapy, you’ll be well-prepared for the IELTS Reading section. Remember, consistent practice and exposure to a variety of topics are key to achieving a high score in IELTS Reading.