Composition: CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Nations around the world are preparing for a possible major outbreak of a
new deadly virus. The coronavirus, which started in the Chinese city of
Wuhan, has already killed 17 people. It has spread to the USA, Japan, Korea
and Thailand. More than 540 people have caught the virus and are in hospital.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is meeting to decide whether the
outbreak is a global health emergency. China is urging people not to panic.
Millions of inhabitants in the world can be ill. Meanwhile, the city of Wuhan
has suspended its public transport systems to help stop the spread of the
lethal virus. Schools, restaurants and most businesses have closed and
serious measures of lockdown have been taken to avoid a higher mortality
rate.
It is suspected from the beginning that the new coronavirus has come from
illegally traded animals in a Wuhan market. The virus mutated and spread
from animal to human. It causes pneumonia symptoms, such as fever, cough
and breathing problems.
Dr. Fu Ning, a prestigious scientist at the university of Beijing claims: “So
far, it is a very dangerous and worrying disease because there is no cure for
this disease”.
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or
false (F).
1. Nations are not preparing for a possible virus outbreak. T / F
2. The coronavirus has spread to four countries. T / F
3. Over 1,540 people are in hospital because of the virus. T / F
4. The article said China suspended public transport in eight different cities. T /
F
5. Scientists suspect the coronavirus came from insects in a market. T / F
6. The coronavirus passes from person to person through the air. T / F
7. The coronavirus belongs to the same virus family as SARS. T / F
8. One of the symptoms of coronavirus is breathing difficulties. T / F
2. Answer the questions:
a) What are the nations doing for a possible major viral outbreak?
b) How many countries has the virus spread to?
c)Who is meeting to decide if the coronavirus is an emergency?
d) What is China urging people not to do?
e) What has the city of Wuhan suspended?
f) Where do people suspect the coronavirus came from?
g) What are the health problems coronavirus can cause?
h) What does Dr. Fu Ning think about the disease?
3. Find the synonyms in the text:
Countries: Deadly, mortal:
getting ready: confinement:
Respiratory: risky:
4. Try to complete the following sentences.
The coronavirus disease is very serious because_____________________
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We can stop the outbreak with these measures, for example___________
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In my opinion, lockdown has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages
are_____________________________________________________
but the disadvantages are ____________________________________
5. Write these ideas in a 70-word composition: Use connectors such as:
En primer lugar, primeramente: Firstly, to begin with…
Además: Besides, moreover, furthermore…
Sin embargo: Nevertheless, however…
Finalmente: Finally, to sum up, in conclusion…
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