The reading passage “I contain multitudes” takes us on a journey to explore the world of microbes and their unexpected role in our lives. From their ubiquity to their profound influence on human health and behavior, this article is not only an eye-opener but also a valuable resource for honing your IELTS Reading skills. Join ECE English as we dive into the content and detailed answers for this passage!
I contain multitudes
Wendy Moore reviews Ed Yong’s book about microbes
Microbes, most of them bacteria, have populated this planet since long before animal life developed and they will outlive us. Invisible to the naked eye, they are ubiquitous. They inhabit the soil, air, rocks and water and are present within every form of life, from seaweed and coral to dogs and humans. And, as Yong explains in his utterly absorbing and hugely important book, we mess with them at our peril.
Every species has its own colony of microbes, called a ‘microbiome’, and these microbes vary not only between species but also between individuals and within different parts of each individual. What is amazing is that while the number of human cells in the average person is about 30 trillion, the number of microbial ones is higher—about 39 trillion. At best, Yong informs us, we are only 50 per cent human. Indeed, some scientists even suggest we should think of each species and its microbes as a single unit, dubbed a ‘holobiont’.
In each human there are microbes that live only in the stomach, the mouth or the armpit and by and large they do so peacefully. So ‘bad’ microbes are just microbes out of context. Microbes that sit contentedly in the human gut (where there are more microbes than there are stars in the galaxy) can become deadly if they find their way into the bloodstream. These communities are constantly changing too. The right hand shares just one sixth of its microbes with the left hand. And, of course, we are surrounded by microbes. Every time we eat, we swallow a million microbes in each gram of food; we are continually swapping microbes with other humans, pets and the world at large.
It’s a fascinating topic and Yong, a young British science journalist, is an extraordinarily adept guide. Writing with lightness and panache, he has a knack of explaining complex science in terms that are both easy to understand and totally enthralling. Yong is on a mission. Leading us gently by the hand, he takes us into the world of microbes—a bizarre, alien planet—in a bid to persuade us to love them as much as he does. By the end, we do.
For most of human history we had no idea that microbes existed. The first man to see these extraordinarily potent creatures was a Dutch lens-maker called Antony van Leeuwenhoek in the 1670s. Using microscopes of his own design that could magnify up to 270 times, he examined a drop of water from a nearby lake and found it teeming with tiny creatures he called ‘animalcules’. It wasn’t until nearly two hundred years later that the research of French biologist Louis Pasteur indicated that some microbes caused disease. It was Pasteur’s ‘germ theory’ that gave bacteria the poor image that endures today.
Yong’s book is in many ways a plea for microbial tolerance, pointing out that while fewer than one hundred species of bacteria bring disease, many thousands more play a vital role in maintaining our health. The book also acknowledges that our attitude towards bacteria is not a simple one. We tend to see the dangers posed by bacteria, yet at the same time we are sold yoghurts and drinks that supposedly nurture ‘friendly’ bacteria. In reality, says Yong, bacteria should not be viewed as either friends or foes, villains or heroes. Instead we should realise we have a symbiotic relationship, that can be mutually beneficial or mutually destructive.
What then do these millions of organisms do? The answer is pretty much everything. New research is now unravelling the ways in which bacteria aid digestion, regulate our immune systems, eliminate toxins, produce vitamins, affect our behaviour and even combat obesity. ‘They actually help us become who we are,’ says Yong. But we are facing a growing problem. Our obsession with hygiene, our overuse of antibiotics and our unhealthy, low-fibre diets are disrupting the bacterial balance and may be responsible for soaring rates of allergies and immune problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The most recent research actually turns accepted norms upside down. For example, there are studies indicating that the excessive use of household detergents and antibacterial products actually destroys the microbes that normally keep the more dangerous germs at bay. Other studies show that keeping a dog as a pet gives children early exposure to a diverse range of bacteria, which may help protect them against allergies later.
The readers of Yong’s book must be prepared for a decidedly unglamorous world. Among the less appealing case studies is one about a fungus that is wiping out entire populations of frogs and that can be halted by a rare microbial bacterium. Another is about squid that carry luminescent bacteria that protect them against predators. However, if you can overcome your distaste for some of the investigations, the reasons for Yong’s enthusiasm become clear. The microbial world is a place of wonder. Already, in an attempt to stop mosquitoes spreading dengue fever—a disease that infects 400 million people a year—mosquitoes are being loaded with a bacterium to block the disease. In the future, our ability to manipulate microbes means we could construct buildings with useful microbes built into their walls to fight off infections. Just imagine a neonatal hospital ward coated in a specially mixed cocktail of microbes so that babies get the best start in life.
Questions 14 – 16
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 14-16 on your answer sheet.
14. What point does the writer make about microbes in the first paragraph?
15. In the second paragraph, the writer is impressed by the fact that
16. What is the writer doing in the fifth paragraph?
Questions 17-20
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-H, below.
Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 17-20 on your answer sheet.
| A. solution | B. partnership | C. destruction |
| D. exaggeration | E. cleanliness | F. regulations |
| G. illness | H. nutrition |
We should be more tolerant of microbes
Yong’s book argues that we should be more tolerant of microbes. Many have a beneficial effect, and only a relatively small number lead to 17. although it is misleading to think of microbes as ‘friendly’, we should also stop thinking of them as the enemy. In fact, we should accept that our relationship with microbes is one based on 18.
New research shows that microbes have numerous benefits for humans. Amongst other things, they aid digestion, remove poisons, produce vitamins and may even help reduce obesity. However, there is a growing problem. Our poor 19. overuse of antibiotics, and our excessive focus on 20. bacterial balance and may be contributing to the huge increase in allergies and immune system problems.
Questions 21-26
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 2?
In boxes 21-26 on your answer sheet, write:
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
Overview of the “I contain multitudes” reading passage
This passage is based on Ed Yong’s book, which completely changes how we perceive ourselves and the world around us.
- Introduction and Paragraph 1: Introduces the ubiquity and long-standing role of bacteria. They existed before animals, will outlive us, and are present in every living thing. We actually have more microbial cells than human cells, making us “only 50% human.” The concept of a “holobiont” (a single unit consisting of a host and its microbiome) is introduced.
- Paragraph 2: Explains the diversity of bacteria in the human body, from the stomach to the armpits, and how they interact with the outside world. “Bad” bacteria are simply microbes in the wrong place.
- Paragraph 3: Praises Ed Yong’s talent for conveying complex science in an engaging and accessible way, turning readers into microbe enthusiasts.
- Paragraph 4: The history of microbial discovery, starting with Antony van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century. Later, Louis Pasteur’s “germ theory” created the negative image of bacteria that persists today.
- Paragraph 5: Yong’s book calls for “microbial tolerance,” emphasizing that most bacteria are beneficial and that our relationship with them is “symbiotic”—potentially mutually beneficial or mutually destructive.
- Paragraph 6 & 7: Highlights the essential roles of bacteria: digestion, immune regulation, toxin removal, vitamin production, behavioral influence, and obesity prevention. However, modern lifestyles (excessive hygiene, antibiotic overuse, low-fiber diets) are disrupting bacterial balance, causing allergies and immune issues. Excessive use of detergents can destroy beneficial bacteria, while having a dog may protect children from allergies.
- Paragraph 8: Provides examples of the wondrous microbial world, from fungi killing frogs to luminescent bacteria in squid, and potential medical and architectural applications to fight disease.
Vocabulary & Useful Structures from the Passage
Detailed Answer Key for “I contain multitudes”
a. Task: Multiple Choice Questions
- Question 14:
What point does the writer make about microbes in the first paragraph?
Analysis: The first paragraph states “Microbes… will outlive us.”
Answer: D. They will continue to exist for longer than the human race.
- Question 15:
In the second paragraph, the writer is impressed by the fact that
Analysis: The second paragraph states “What is amazing is that while the number of human cells… is about 30 trillion, the number of microbial ones is higher—about 39 trillion.”
Answer: C. the average individual has more microbial cells than human ones.
- Question 16:
What is the writer doing in the fifth paragraph?
Analysis: The fifth paragraph discusses “Yong’s book is in many ways a plea for microbial tolerance” and how we should view bacteria as neither friend nor foe.
Answer: A. Questioning current attitudes towards bacteria.
b. Task: Summary Completion
- Question 17:
Many have a beneficial effect, and only a relatively small number lead to 17.
Location: Paragraph E states “…while fewer than one hundred species of bacteria bring disease…”
Answer: G. illness (disease = illness).
- Question 18:
In fact, we should accept that our relationship with microbes is one based on 18.
Location: Paragraph E states “…we should realise we have a symbiotic relationship…”
Answer: B. partnership (symbiotic relationship = partnership).
- Question 19:
Our poor 19. overuse of antibiotics, and our excessive focus on 20. bacterial balance...
Location: Paragraph F states “Our obsession with hygiene, our overuse of antibiotics and our unhealthy, low-fibre diets are disrupting…”
Answer: H. nutrition (low-fibre diets relate to nutrition).
- Question 20:
...our excessive focus on 20. bacterial balance and may be contributing to the huge increase in allergies and immune system problems.
Location: Paragraph F states “Our obsession with hygiene…”
Answer: E. cleanliness (hygiene = cleanliness).
c. Task: YES/NO/NOT GIVEN
- Question 21:
It is possible that using antibacterial products in the home fails to have the desired effect.
Analysis: Paragraph G states “…excessive use of household detergents and antibacterial products actually destroys the microbes that normally keep the more dangerous germs at bay.” (It destroys beneficial bacteria, failing the desired effect of protection).
Answer: YES.
- Question 22:
It is a good idea to ensure that children come into contact with as few bacteria as possible.
Analysis: Paragraph G states “…keeping a dog as a pet gives children early exposure to a diverse range of bacteria, which may help protect them against allergies later.” This contradicts the idea of avoiding bacteria.
Answer: NO.
- Question 23:
Yong’s book contains more case studies than are necessary.
Analysis: Paragraph H mentions “Among the less appealing case studies…” but does not evaluate whether the number of case studies is necessary or excessive.
Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- Question 24:
The case study about bacteria that prevent squid from being attacked may have limited appeal.
Analysis: Paragraph H says “Among the less appealing case studies is one about a fungus… Another is about squid that carry luminescent bacteria…” The term “less appealing” is applied to these studies.
Answer: YES.
- Question 25:
Efforts to control dengue fever have been surprisingly successful.
Analysis: Paragraph H states “…mosquitoes are being loaded with a bacterium to block the disease.” It describes the effort, but does not claim it has been “surprisingly successful.”
Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- Question 26:
Microbes that reduce the risk of infection have already been put inside the walls of some hospital wards.
Analysis: Paragraph H says “In the future, our ability to manipulate microbes means we could construct buildings… Just imagine a neonatal hospital ward…” This refers to future possibilities and imagination, not current reality.
Answer: NO.
The reading passage “I contain multitudes” overturns long-held prejudices about bacteria, showing that they are not just sources of disease but essential “friends” that shape our lives. From the history of discovery to future potential applications, the article opens up a wondrous world.
For IELTS candidates, this passage is a goldmine for improving Reading skills, especially for Multiple Choice, Summary Completion, and Yes/No/Not Given questions. Mastering academic vocabulary, analytical reasoning, and detailed comprehension will help you tackle the exam effectively while gaining deeper insight into the complex microbial world.
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Khai giảng Khóa học Hè cực HOT.
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