The deadly Ebola virus is getting worse in Africa. More and more people are getting affected. So far, 763 people have the virus, and 468 of these have died. The United Nations said it is the biggest and deadliest Ebola outbreak the world has ever seen. Most of the deaths have been in Guinea. This is where the outbreak started. People have also died in neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone. Health ministers from African countries are getting increasingly worried about the outbreak. Ministers from 11 countries are meeting in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. They will talk about what they can do to control the situation. They want to stop more people from dying.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said "drastic" action was needed to stop the virus from spreading across Africa. WHO spokesman Daniel Epstein told reporters the organization was trying to get all countries to work together. He said if everyone helps, "we can get a grip and halt this outbreak". He said this was important because strong trading links between African countries means the virus could easily spread. He said: "We need a strong response, especially along the shared border areas where commercial and social activities continue between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. That's unlikely to stop." Ebola kills up to 90 per cent of people who get infected. There is no vaccine or cure for it.

1. TRUE / FALSE:Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.So far, the Ebola virus has killed 763 people in Africa.T / F

b.The outbreak is the biggest Ebola outbreak the world has ever seen.T / F

c.The outbreak is currently spread across three countries.T / F

d.Ministers from all African countries will meet for talks in Ghana.T / F

e.The WHO said drastic action is needed to stop the outbreak spreading.T / F

f.The WHO said the situation could be controlled if everyone helps.T / F

g.The WHO said cross-border trading would stop during the outbreak.T / F

h.There is a vaccine for Ebola but it is very expensive.T / F

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.How many people have died from the Ebola virus?

2.How big is this outbreak compared to other Ebola outbreaks?

3.Where did the outbreak start?

4.How many countries are sending their health ministers to a meeting?

5.Where will the health ministers' meeting be?

6.What kind of action did the WHO say was needed?

7.What does a WHO spokesman want all countries to do?

8.What links between African countries could spread the virus?

9.What kind of response is needed?

10.What percentage of infected people does the Ebola virus kill?

答案

TRUE / FALSE

A F b T c T d F e T f T g F h F

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.468

2.It's the biggest ever

3.Guinea

4.Eleven

5.Accra, Ghana

6.Drastic action

7.Work together

8.Trading links

9.A strong response

10.90%