Nasty creatures.

Everyone agrees that ticks are exceedingly nasty creatures. For hundreds of millions of
years, they have survived on Earth by sucking blood from their victims for days, often
leaving behind terrible diseases as a thank-you note. In humans, these diseases include
many unpleasant and dangerous illnesses, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted
Fever, babesiosis, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia, to name a few.

No one has ever looked at why ticks, themselves, are able to survive while harboring
bacteria, viruses and parasites. Now, for the first time, scientists at the University of
Maryland School of Medicine have found out how the ingenious tick immune system fights a
myriad of microbes. 

This basic science discovery is fascinating, and may pave the ground for new translational
approaches that reduce the negative impact of tick-borne diseases in people.

Scientists had long assumed that the tick immune system works similarly to that of flies and
mosquitoes. But ticks, which have existed on the planet for between 120 million and 443
million years, have taken an entirely different path. In evolutionary terms, ticks are as far
removed from insects, as humans are from fish. Although the two bugs are seemingly alike,
it turns out that the immune system of ticks is quite distinct from insects. Discovery clarifies
the ins-and-outs of how the tick immune system fights bacteria.

The lead author of the study first figured out that ticks were missing crucial genes for a
proper immune response. This observation led to the discovery of an entirely new pathway
that recognizes three distinct bacteria. After identifying components of the immune system,
Scientists were able to block the tick immune response with a molecular technique named
RNA interference. They also over-activated the ticks' immune system to get rid of bacteria
even more efficiently. It's really amazing what one can do in science these days.

The discovery has several exciting implications. By targeting key molecules - essentially
manipulating the tick immune system - scientists may now try to make ticks less vulnerable
to infection by these microbes. If ticks do not acquire these bacteria in the wild, then they
won't be able to turn over the microbes to humans. Scientists go on pursuing work along
these lines to further understand the tick immune response. This area of research is
understudied and they are only beginning to scratch the surface. That is the beauty of it.

Of tick-borne diseases, Lyme disease is perhaps the most well-known. It exists all over the
United States, although it is more concentrated in the Northeast, Midwest and, to a lesser
extent, along the Pacific coast. Researchers estimate that between 296,000 and 376,000
people per year are infected in this country. Lyme disease symptoms can include fatigue,
muscle pain, joint aches, memory loss, confusion, headaches and neurological problems.

1. According to the author ticks can transmit to humans such illnesses as: 
- Lime disease, Scarlet fever, Tick-Borne Relapsing fever.

- Scarlet fever, measles, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, babesiosis.

- Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, babesiosis, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever,
and tularemia.

- Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, babesiosis, Hay fever, and tularemia.

2. University of Maryland School of Medicine has found out:

- That ticks are the same as the other insects.

- How the ingenious tick's immune system fights a myriad of microbes.

- That tick's immune system is not able to fight with a myriad microbes. 

- That tick's immune system works similarly to that of flies and mosquitoes.

3. How long have ticks existed on the planet?

- For between 120m. and 443m. years.

- For between 100m. and 442m. years.

- For between 125m. and 560m. years.

- For between 5m. and 10m. years.

4. Why, according to the text, ticks were missing crucial genes?

- For improper immune response.

- For proper immune response.

- For getting rid of the bacteria.

- For reaching more bacterias. 

5. Why, according to the text, scientists needed to identify components of tick's immune
system? 

- To block tick's immune system.

- To make them more adapted to survival.

- To rid the planet of ticks.

- Just to explore them.

6. Which of the statements, according to the text, is true?

- Observation led to the discovery of an entirely new pathway that recognizes four distinct
bacteria.

- Scientists may now try to make ticks more vulnerable to infection by these microbes.

- In evolutionary terms, ticks are as far removed from insects, as humans are from fish.

- Lyme disease doesn't exist.

7. Will scientists go on exploring ticks?

- Yes, but only their immune system.

- Yes, they will.

- No, their research is already finished.

- They don't see anything interesting in it.

(Online magazine "Sciencedaily" sciencedaily.com)

(https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170214092721.htm)
Tasty tours.
There are few people who know Hong Kong’s culinary scene better than Silvana Leung.
The operations manager and lead guide for Hong Kong Foodie, Leung gives _____ of
the bustling city that allow visitors to get a taste of its unique cuisine. 
 
“Our mission is to help these visitors to go ___ local restaurants and be able to order food
for themselves after taking the tour,” She says. “This gives an idea of what Hong Kong’s
culinary culture is like.”
 
The Chinese province of Guangdong neighbors Hong Kong, itself a Special Administrative
Region on China’s southern coast. Guangdong was ________ known as Canton, and Hong
Kong enjoys Cantonese culture. 
 
“Traditional Cantonese cuisine is a lot of stir-fried dishes and steamed dishes,” Leung says.
 
Elsewhere in China, other foods are popular. 
 
“A lot of what defines these regional cuisines has to do with the weather and how people
live in this area,” Leung says. “In northern China, they eat a lot of noodles and dumplings,
whereas here in the southern part of China, we eat a lot of rice. Also, in _______ places like
northern China and even inland China, it is known for spicy food.”
 
Dim sum is one Cantonese specialty that has spread ______ the world. Very ______ in
Hong Kong, dim sum is a wide assortment of small portions and usually includes steamed
or fried dumplings. 
 
“Dim sum in Hong Kong is definitely different,” Leung says. “It is way better than anywhere
else you ____ find dim sum!”

1. a) visits b) tours c) excursions d) walks

2. a) for b) to c) with d) into
3. a) formerly b) now c) never d) someday
4. a) colder b) warmer c) drier d) wetter
5. a) through b) across c) around d) near
6. a) rare b) unusual c) popular d) usual
7. a) should b) must c) may d) can

(From National Geographic Magazine)

(http://www.nationalgeographic.org/news/tasty-tours/)