AMBROSIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED

THE ENGLISH HUB FOR THE SPECIALISED

ENGLISH BONANZA
MY ENGLISH TRIBE · DEVELOPING LANGUAGE AWARENESS & PROFICIENCY FOR TEACHERS
DASH-A-THON 2020
A. MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A recent __________ in infected cases in South Korea and Italy has caused a global
alarm – and world stock markets have tumbled as a result.
A. spike B. outburst C. ascent D. upsurge
2. Australians stranded in Wuhan have been ‘kept in the dark’ about evacuation flights
out of the __________ of the outbreak.
A. off-centre B. supercentre C. epicentre D. centrepiece
3. Though most experts don’t think they are effective, face masks have been flying off
the __________ in many Asian countries.
A. wall B. shelves C. handle D. sales
4. Many pharmaceutical companies have __________ a marketing opportunity amid the
outbreak, advertising a COVID-19 protection range of masks designed to reassure
people who fear infection.
A. captured B. seized C. held D. grabbed
5. In an attempt to slow the worst __________ of the disease outside of Asia, Italian
authorities have shut down all entertainment venues and banned public gatherings.
A. bounceback B. onslaught C. outset D. flare-up
6. Hundreds of victims and medical staff reported or linked to inflected clusters have
been put in __________ isolation to stem further spread.
A. quarantine B. cohort C. detention D. lockdown
7. Also a matter of grave concern is whether or not the US healthcare system is
prepared to properly handle a/an __________ of infected cases.
A. influx B. inundation C. inrush D. intrusion
8. For weeks, hundreds of millions of people have been __________ in their apartments,
going out only when absolutely required.
A. cordoned off B. snowed under C. locked down D. cooped up
9. In Washington State, where the coronavirus has __________ nine lives, residents
reported a frustrating array of misinformation and obstacles as they were seeking to
get tested.
A. alleged B. maintained C. claimed D. professed
10. With financial markets in __________ and evidence growing that the coronavirus is
developing into a pandemic, the Federal Reserve has made emergency interest rate
cuts.
A. havoc B. turmoil C. riot D. mayhem

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic 1

AMBROSIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
THE ENGLISH HUB FOR THE SPECIALISED
ENGLISH BONANZA
MY ENGLISH TRIBE · DEVELOPING LANGUAGE AWARENESS & PROFICIENCY FOR TEACHERS

11. The spread of coronavirus means Premier League matches will be played ‘behind
close __________’ this month.
A. gates B. bars C. doors D. curtains
12. Dozens of police officers and medics in masks and hazmat suits waited for
passengers boarding overnight trains as fears __________ over the potential spread of
coronavirus.
A. leap B. mount C. stack D. heap
13. Against the __________ of the coronavirus pandemic and a looming global economic
downturn, major Japanese firms are ‘tightening their belts’ in influential annual wage
deals.
A. framework B. circumstance C. scenario D. backdrop
14. Since COVID-19 symptoms are so __________, even the most enhanced screening is
catching only between 20 and 50 percent of infected air travellers.
A. inconspicuous B. latent C. embryonic D. suppressed
15. The first case of COVID-19 is believed to have been found last year, but this
information could have been __________ by governments and officials until an outbreak
was publicly announced in China.
A. hushed up B. piped down C. shrugged off D. glossed over
16. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, central bankers rode to the rescue, cutting
rates close to zero and __________ money into the economy via stimulus packages.
A. pumping B. inflating C. probing D. investing
17. Many teachers have been trained to use e-learning tools as their schools shutter
amid coronavirus fears, while others have faced a steep learning __________.
A. lapse B. curve C. circle D. loop
18. Even if a drug were only able to reduce mortality or sickness by a marginal
amount, it could still make a difference to the __________ of COVID-19.
A. track B. lunge C. progression D. course
19. As borders close and social distancing increases in order to __________ the curve of
infection rates, we need to think urgently about the workforce on whom our food supply
chains rely.
A. flatten B. straighten C. deflate D. mitigate
20. The case was initially announced as a __________ positive on the basis of tests
carried out in Northern Ireland. A sample was then sent to a Public Health England
reference laboratory for confirmation.

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic 1

AMBROSIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
THE ENGLISH HUB FOR THE SPECIALISED
ENGLISH BONANZA
MY ENGLISH TRIBE · DEVELOPING LANGUAGE AWARENESS & PROFICIENCY FOR TEACHERS
A. subjunctive B. presumptive C. speculative D. prospective

B. WORD FORMATIONS
21. Americans who have visited other parts of mainland China will undergo special
health screening upon their return, followed by up to 14 days of monitored __________
under the temporary restrictions. (QUARANTINE)
22. The new strain of coronavirus has spread at a(n) __________ scale and speed, with
cases passing between people in multiple countries around the world. (PRECEDE)
23. Two Australians evacuated from the __________ Diamond Princess cruise liner in
Japan have tested positive for the disease in Darwin. (VIRAL)
24. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 can be transmitted through
fomites (contaminated objects) in addition to __________ and direct contact with infected
patients. (DROP)
25. Expert say the best way to avoid germs, with coronavirus and other __________
diseases, is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, try not to touch your face or
eyes, and avoid contact with people displaying symptoms. (AIR)
26. Not everybody is equal when it comes to the transmission of infectious diseases;
some people, known as __________, are more efficient transmitters of viruses than
others. (SPREAD)
27. __________ toilet paper in response to the outbreak has become a meme on social
media, with young Australian TikTok users mocking those who are stripping
supermarket shelves bare. (PANIC)
28. The NASUWT, one of the largest teaching unions in the UK, has reported increasing
cases of minority ethnic teachers and students subjected to racist __________ and
intimidation connected to the outbreak. (NAME)
29. Wearing a face mask is certainly not a(n) __________ guarantee that you won’t get
infected, as these viruses are transmittable through the eyes, and tiny viral particles
can penetrate masks. (IRON)
30. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the World Bank has decided to set aside billions of
pounds for developing world countries to support ailing health systems and __________
the worst impact from falling commodity prices. (SET)
31. As the coronavirus __________ continues to surge all over the world, the World
Health Organization has called upon countries to take stricter measures. (CASE)

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic 1

AMBROSIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
THE ENGLISH HUB FOR THE SPECIALISED
ENGLISH BONANZA
MY ENGLISH TRIBE · DEVELOPING LANGUAGE AWARENESS & PROFICIENCY FOR TEACHERS
32. Health officials urged the public to be more __________, the message being “Taking
good care of your own well-being is a powerful weapon in the war against COVID-19.”
(CONSCIENCE)
33. __________ coronavirus testing stations are particularly advantageous in that people
can remain in their vehicles throughout the test, therefore protecting healthcare
workers from direct exposure. (DRIVE)
34. Pharmacies across the country sold out of __________ and surgical masks in days
after a lockdown was announced in late January in Asia. (INFECT)
35. Despite the increased focus in the news and on social media about __________
during the outbreak, authorities say that it is completely unnecessary. (STOCK)
36. COVID-19 is much less deadly than other similar __________ viruses that have
transferred from animals to humans; the death rate of COVID-19 is estimated to be 1%-
2%, whereas SARS had one of more than 10%. (ZOO)
37. Many doctors agree that __________ is an impactful and low-cost tool in slowing the
spread of the virus; it eases the burden on hospitals and hospital beds by redirecting
patients without in-person needs. (MEDIC)
38. With misinformation, false reports and conspiracy theories online creating an
‘__________’, doctors and scientists have taken to social media to offer expert advice to
alleviate panic – another fight alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. (INFORM)
39. Some of those quarantined have complained the conditions in the containment
zone are __________, particularly the allocation of shared bathrooms, exacerbating the
potential for transmission of coronavirus. (HYGIENE)
40. A police raid comes as staff at supermarkets across the country to work around the
clock during the coronavirus crisis to ensure shelves are __________ amid panic
purchasing. (REPLETE)

DASH-A-THON 2020 KEY

1. A. spike 11. C. doors 21. self-quarantine 29. cast-iron /
2. C. epicentre 12. B. mount 22. unprecedented ironclad
3. B. shelves 13. D. backdrop 23. virus-hit / 30. offset
4. B. seized 14. B. latent virus-stricken /
5. D. flare-up 15. A. hushed up virus-struck /
6. B. cohort 16. A. pumping virus-laden
7. A. influx 17. B. curve 24. droplets
8. D. cooped up 18. D. course 25. airborne
9. C. claimed 19. A. flatten 26. super-
10. B. turmoil 20. B. presumptive spreaders
27. Panic-buying
28. namecalling

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic 1

AMBROSIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
THE ENGLISH HUB FOR THE SPECIALISED
ENGLISH BONANZA
MY ENGLISH TRIBE · DEVELOPING LANGUAGE AWARENESS & PROFICIENCY FOR TEACHERS
31. caseload 34. disinfectants 36. zoonotic 40. replenished
32. health- 35. stockpiling / 37. telemedicine
conscious overstocking / 38. infodemic
33. Drive-through understocking 39. unhygienic
THE END

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic 1