Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

Choose the correct word(s).

1. The team is due to / due arrive at six o’clock.

Choose the correct word(s).

2. Bob’s will go / going to New York next week.

Choose the correct word(s).

3. Will / Are we be meeting outside the cinema?

Choose the correct word(s).

4. I’m about going / to go to the shop. Do we need more milk?

Choose the correct word(s).

5. We ’re move / move into our new flat next month.

Choose the correct word(s).

6. You’re going getting / to get a new car next year, aren’t you?

Choose the correct word(s).

7. I’m to / about to go for lunch. Would you like to join me?

Choose the correct answer.

1. My parents are due to arrive at 7.00 tonight. Can you help me clean? _____________________

Choose the correct answer.

2. We’re to be make sure he’s there on time because he’s usually late. _____________________

Choose the correct answer.

3. My sister-in-law is about to have a baby, so my brother is very nervous. _____________________

Choose the correct answer.

4. Will we be eating at the usual time? Your brother wants to know. _____________________

Choose the correct answer.

5. The Prime Minister is going open the new shopping centre here on Saturday. _________________

Choose the odd word(s) out.

1. a bruise   a surgeon   a blister   a rash

Choose the odd word(s) out.

2. a cold   flu   asthma   a bandage

Choose the odd word(s) out.

3. ineffective   mainstream   unproven   useless

Choose the odd word(s) out.

4. a rip-off   an X-ray   antibiotics   stitches

Choose the odd word(s) out.

5. mild   severe   real   prematurely

Choose the odd word(s) out.

6. across   through   on top of   put

Choose the odd word(s) out.

7. breathtaking   dull   spoiled   overcrowded

Choose the odd word(s) out.

8. delay   postpone   cancel   put off

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Match the words to the same sound.

1. up ________, ________

Match the words to the same sound.

2. along ________, ________

Match the words to the same sound.

3. devalued ________

Choose the stressed syllable.

1. be|low

Choose the stressed syllable.

2. a|round

Choose the stressed syllable.

3. ban|dage

Choose the stressed syllable.

4. vi|rus

Choose the stressed syllable.

5. sys|tem

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

1. Question:

The writer says in the first paragraph that criticism of CAM is ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

2. Question:

The writer says that the difference between CAM and conventional medicine ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

3. Question:

The writer’s point in the second paragraph is that ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

4. Question:

The writer uses fibromyalgia and Crohn’s disease as examples of ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

5. Question:

The study of highly diluted solutions ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

6. Question:

When describing what RCT tests involve, the writer says that ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

7. Question:

The first objection to the use of RCT tests for CAM treatments is that ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

8. Question:

The writer says in the last paragraph that the attitude of patients to CAM treatments ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

9. Question:

The second objection to the use of RCT tests for CAM treatments is that ________.

Read the article and choose the correct answer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DOES COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE WORK?

The main point made by people who dismiss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as a pointless waste of time and money is that there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that it works. For conventional medicine there is, of course, an enormous amount of scientific research to back up the effectiveness of medical treatments. This is because of the fundamental difference between conventional medicine and CAM. Conventional medicine regards the body as a complex and sophisticated machine and illness as a breakdown of one or more parts of the machine. Its aim is to get the machine working properly again by removing the problem parts or treating them so that they return to working order. CAM, in the form of such things as homeopathy, acupuncture, and medical herbalism, regards illness as a breakdown of the body’s natural healing systems. It believes that there is a natural, non-physical force in all of us that enables the body to heal itself and its aim is to make that force powerful enough to overcome illness and restore health.

This natural, non-physical force, however, cannot be detected using the usual scientific techniques. So it is impossible to prove its existence scientifically, and this has led some people to reject the whole idea of CAM. With conventional medicine, we can test scientifically whether treatments have an effect on the body by looking for changes in the body’s cells, nerves, organs, and systems as a result of treatment. With CAM, we cannot prove whether or not the natural force for restoring health exists. However, it is possible to see what effects CAM treatments have had on the cells and structures of the body in order to assess their effectiveness.

One example of scientific evidence for the effectiveness of CAM treatments is a study which showed that homeopathic medicine had an effect on the brain activity of sufferers of fibromyalgia, a painful muscle disorder. Research also indicated that acupuncture was effective in the treatment of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, a painful disorder of the digestive system. Tests on their digestive systems showed that they had less inflammation after acupuncture treatment. Another study concerned the highly diluted solutions used in homeopathic medicines. Sceptics claim that these cannot possibly have any effect because they are so diluted and little or nothing of the original substance remains. But a study showed that ultra-high dilutions of histamine (a protein involved in allergies) have an influence on cell activity in the body.

One of the most common tools of conventional medical research is a test called an RCT. This is a comparative test to discover the effectiveness of, for example, a new drug. Some subjects are given the drug and others are given a dummy pill. The subjects do not know whether they have taken a real pill or a dummy one, known as a placebo. Researchers then look at whether the people who took the real pill showed more improvement than the people who took the dummy pill, or placebo. The same kind of test is also carried out for CAM treatments, and it seems an obvious thing to do in order to get evidence of their effectiveness. However, a number of CAM practitioners feel that these RCT tests are not appropriate for CAM treatments. This is for two reasons.

Firstly, they say, this is because CAM therapies are entirely focused on each individual as a separate case. Treatment isn’t dictated by the specific medical problem the patient is suffering from but by the need to restore to full power that individual’s natural force for maintaining health. So the result of an RCT test for one person may be wholly different for another, meaning that no general conclusion could be drawn about a particular treatment. Secondly, the practitioners say, a key factor in CAM treatments is the relationship between the patient and the practitioner. Many people, especially those with severe or long-standing medical problems, opt for CAM treatments because they do not want to take drugs for a long time or because they do not have faith in conventional medicine to improve their condition. Some of these people may feel that they get benefits from CAM treatments and from their consultations with CAM practitioners, even if the treatments do not work for their original problem. So CAM treatments may be beneficial in ways that RCT tests would not reveal. Some patients, for example, say that they prefer the holistic approach of CAM and feel that the decisions about treatment give them greater control over their own lives than conventional medicine. They like the feeling that they are taking personal responsibility for their own health.

10. Question:

The writer’s purpose in the article is to ________.

Listen to five people talking about whether their government should be responsible for providing free health care. Match the speakers (1–5) to what they mention in connection with the provision of health care. (A–H).

Listen to an interview with an expert on tourism called Anna Cooper, talking about the importance of cultural awareness in the industry. Complete the sentences using one word only.