Directions: Read the text below and answer the question that follow. Hand sanitizers were actually invented by those who work in the medical field. In the hospital, it’s vital to keep hands free of bacteria and viruses, to avoid spreading them from patient to patient. As doctors and nurses are often rushed in their daily activities, hand sanitizers can really come in handy. It was in the mid-IQOOS that researchers discovered alcohol (a primary germ killer) could be delivered in a gel to provide quick and easy cleansing when there’s no time or access to soap and warm water. Soap and water kill and flush germs from skin. Hand sanitizers, on the other hand, work by sitting on skin and killing germs on contact. They only work, however, if they have enough alcohol to kill the germs—at least 60 percent, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That means a lot of alcohol on your skin (which is horrible for its health and appearance).
Which word in the text has the following meaning?
Persistent
Understanding the Text on Hand Sanitizers
The provided text discusses the origin and function of hand sanitizers. It explains that they were developed in the medical field to quickly clean hands when soap and water aren't available. The text highlights that alcohol is the key germ-killing ingredient, and sanitizers work by killing germs on contact as the alcohol evaporates. It also raises a point about the potential long-term effects of frequent use, particularly early in life.
The question asks us to identify a word from this text that means "Continuing to exist or occur for a long period of time".
Identifying the Meaning of "Persistent" in the Text
We need to carefully read the text and look for words that convey the meaning of something happening or existing over a long duration. Towards the end of the text, it states: "However, persistent use of sanitizers —particularly early in life—can contribute to reduced immune defenses later on."
Let's consider the word "persistent" in this context. "Persistent use" refers to using hand sanitizers repeatedly or continuously over time, especially for a significant period like "early in life". This usage directly relates to the idea of something continuing to occur for a long period.
Analyzing the Options
The options provided are:
- Perpetual
- Never ending
- Continuous
- Persistent
We are looking for a word that is present in the text AND matches the meaning "Continuing to exist or occur for a long period of time".
- Perpetual: This word means never-ending or eternal. It is not found in the text.
- Never ending: This phrase means something that literally has no end. It is not found in the text.
- Continuous: This word means uninterrupted or occurring without break. While similar in meaning to persistent, this specific word ("Continuous") is not present in the text itself.
- Persistent: This word means continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition, OR continuing to exist or occur over a prolonged period. As we saw, this word is present in the text ("persistent use") and its meaning aligns with "Continuing to exist or occur for a long period of time" in the context of repeated use over time.
Conclusion
Based on our analysis, the word "persistent" is the only word among the options that is found in the provided text and accurately conveys the meaning "Continuing to exist or occur for a long period of time" in the context it is used.
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Relevance to Question |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary in Context | Understanding the meaning of a word based on how it is used in a specific sentence or text. | Essential for identifying the correct word based on its meaning in the hand sanitizer text. |
| Reading Comprehension | The ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning. | Required to read the passage, understand its content, and find the relevant word. |
| Synonyms | Words that have similar meanings. | Helps evaluate the options, but the key is finding the word *in the text*. |
Additional Information: Exploring the Word 'Persistent'
The word "persistent" comes from the Latin word 'persistere', meaning "to stand firm". It can be used in a few different ways:
- Continuing firmly despite difficulty: "She was persistent in her efforts to learn the piano." (Means she kept trying even when it was hard).
- Continuing to exist or occur for a long time: "The persistent rain caused flooding." (Means the rain continued for a long period). Or, as in the text, "persistent use" means continuous or repeated use over time.
Synonyms for persistent in the sense of duration include 'continuous', 'constant', 'ongoing', 'enduring'. However, for this question, we had to find the specific word used in the text.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
