Covid-19 Vaccinations – The Next
Through this listening comprehension exercise, let’s learn more about the history of vaccinations and the roll out of the latest Covid-19 vaccinations. As we have experienced first-hand, a city’s high density of people and connectedness to other parts of the world also increase its vulnerability to contagious diseases. Hence, a city’s survival is dependent on its ability to immunise its people against these diseases.
You will hear a historian talking about smallpox and how the vaccinations against smallpox were first developed.
1. The first treatment against smallpox involved
a) exposing the sick person’s skin to small amounts of smallpox matter.
b) exposing a healthy person’s skin to small amounts of smallpox matter.
c) injecting a patient with controlled amounts of smallpox matter.
d) exposing the patient to cowpox, a milder disease.
2. Edward Jenner’s method of treating smallpox is less risky because
a) he exposes people to a milder disease.
b) he treated patients that previously had cowpox, a milder disease.
c) he had invented the proper method of vaccination.
d) he was a country doctor.
You will hear two friends talking about receiving Covid-19 vaccinations.
1. The boy is hesitant about receiving Covid-19 vaccinations because
a) he is scared of needles.
b) he is afraid of the unknown long-term effects.
c) he is afraid that the vaccinations will expose him to the virus.
d) he is unsure of how they work.
2. The girl got her information on the Covid-19 vaccinations from
a) known news sites which she also cross-checked with science journals.
b) her family member who writes for a living.
c) known news sites which she cross-checks with talk shows.
d) the conversation with her friend.
You will hear a minister talking about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccinations.
1. According to the minister, the barrier we still have to overcome is
a) setting up the infrastructure and manpower to carry out the vaccinations.
b) the public’s fear of contracting the virus through the vaccinations.
c) the public’s fear of unknown side-effects of the vaccinations as they have been developed quickly.
d) having too many people congregating to get vaccinated.
2. According to the minister, the process of developing the vaccination was fast because
a) scientists shared SARS samples with each other for research.
b) scientists predicted the coronavirus would strike again.
c) policymakers have been studying coronaviruses for many years.
d) of strong funding and partnerships between scientists.
extract 1: A, A
extract 2: C, A
extract 3: C, D
