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

11. The spread of coronavirus means Premier League matches will be played ‘behind close __________’ this
month.

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. 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.
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)

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
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)
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)

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
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 31. caseload
2. C. epicentre 12. B. mount 22. unprecedented 32. health-conscious
3. B. shelves 13. D. backdrop 23. virus-hit / 33. Drive-through
4. B. seized 14. B. latent virus-stricken / 34. disinfectants
5. D. flare-up 15. A. hushed up virus-struck / 35. stockpiling /
6. B. cohort 16. A. pumping virus-laden overstocking /
7. A. influx 17. B. curve 24. droplets understocking
8. D. cooped up 18. D. course 25. airborne 36. zoonotic
9. C. claimed 19. A. flatten 26. super-spreaders 37. telemedicine
10. B. turmoil 20. B. presumptive 27. Panic-buying 38. infodemic
28. namecalling 39. unhygienic
29. cast-iron / ironclad 40. replenished
30. offset
THE END

The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic 1