EXERCISE

03
TEXT

READING COMPREHENSION

Of the estimated 700 species of spiders found in the continental United States, only two are known to be deadly to humans: the black widow and the brown recluse. The former is found throughout the lower 48 states, though it is more common to the milder climate of the south and west. The black widow is easily recognized by the red hourglass-shaped mark on its lower abdomen. This mark is more prevalent in females than in the smaller males, which usually just have a light stripe. The bite of the black widow is described as being incredibly painful, so much so that not even morphine is 100% effective in treating the pain. But despite its painful bite, the black widow is seldom deadly, though it can be fatal to small children or the elderly. The brown recluses bite, on the other hand, has no known treatment. This spider is found along the south and west of the country, and it is a fearsome arachnid indeed. Though, in keeping with its name, the species is rarely seen, it will bite if pressed against the skin, as might happen if the spider finds its way inside clothing or bedding. The brown recluses bite is frequently not felt, and it may only be after the appearance of a large wound (up to 25 centimeters in some cases) that the victim will even realize he or she was bitten. The wound will become painful within a few hours, with necrosis developing over the next few days.

EXCERCISE

1. A suitable title for this passage might be:

2. The brown recluse is found throughout the lower 48 states. 3. It can be inferred from the paragraph that

1. 2.

a) Deadly spiders in the United States, b) Treating the bite of the brown recluse, c) How to recognize a black widow, d) Symptoms of spider bites. True False

4. The bite of the black widow is more painful than that of the brown recluse. 5. It can be inferred from the paragraph that morphine

3. a) female spiders are generally larger than males, b) only spiders with a color in their names are poisonous, c) the bite of the black widow should not be deadly to an average healthy adult, d) all spiders will bite if threatened. 4. True False 5. a) is a painkiller, b) is only given to victims of black widow bites, c) is a controlled substance, d) is highly addictive.

6. What do you think the expression in keeping with its name means? 7. The brown recluse will bite at the slightest provocation. 8. What is the first indication that someone has been bitten by a brown recluse? 9. How many symptoms of a brown recluse bite does the article list?

6. .............................................................................. .............................................................................. .............................................................................. True False 7. 8. 9. a) extreme pain, b) swelling, c) necrosis, d) a wound at the site of the bite. a) 1, b) 2, c) 3, d) 4.

3 COMPRENSIN ESCRITA NIVEL AVANZADO