Summative assessment for the unit "Science and scientific phenomena" Grade 10

Summative assessment for the unit «Science & scientific phenomena» Grade 10

Task 2. Reading. Read the text and choose True or False statements. Correct the False statements.

Would you like to know when you’ll die? It’s a scary question for many, but one which could be answered using a new blood test. Spanish scientists have invented such a test that they say will estimate how much longer you will live. The $700 test measures the length of telomeres in our DNA. Telomeres control how often our cells divide to make new ones and are thus responsible for aging. They limit the length of our lifespan. The company behind the project, Life Length, says the test will give people an idea of the speed at which they are ageing and a prediction of when the end might come. Critics have been quick to attack the test. They say it is unethical, unreliable, and could lead to insurance firms demanding people take the test before issuing policies. Researchers say the test could lead to breakthroughs in age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's and heart disease. Professor Jerry Shay, a consultant for Life Length, admitted people are right to be wary of the new test. He said: "People might say, 'If I know I'm going to die in 10 years, I'll spend all my money now', or 'If I'm going to live for 40 years, I'll be more conservative in my lifestyle'. He added: "The worrying thing is that if this information ever got to a point where it is believable, insurance companies would start requiring it in terms of insuring people.” Maria Blasco, inventor of the test, believes it is important, saying: "It will be useful for you to know your biological age. Maybe you would change your lifestyle habits if you find you have short telomeres."

1 A new blood test may answer a question that scares many of us. True False

2 The cost of the test will be around $7,000. True False

3 Telomeres in our body kill potentially deadly bacteria and cancer. True False

4 The new blood test will be of great interest to insurance companies. True False

5 The test could lead to developments that will fight heart disease. True False

6 A consultant said people should not be concerned about the test. True False

7 The consultant said we would change our lifestyle if they took the test. True False

[7]

Total [ _____14]

Key answers

Task 1. Listening

I think the idea of genetic engineering is fascinating. It’s also quite dangerous. Fiddling around with what makes us human might make us less human. We could end up creating a Frankenstein’s monster. The idea of genetic engineering has been around for centuries. Scientists have always wanted to change us. The real breakthrough came in the latter half of last century. Geneticists cracked the genetic code and found ways of altering our genes. Now they can clone animals and reproduce human tissue and organs. I don’t think it’ll be too long before scientists clone a person. Once all the fuss has died down, younger generations will be more accepting of genetic engineering. We might even live to be two hundred years old.

Reading

1.True

2.False. It will be 700

3.False. Telomeres control how often our cells divide to make new ones and are thus responsible for aging.

4.True

5.True

6.False. Professor Jerry Shay, a consultant for Life Length, admitted people are right to be wary of the new test.

7.False. Maria Blasco, inventor of the test, said this.