A Cure for the common cold Reading Answers

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19-09-2025

A Cure for the Common Cold reading answers

A cure for the common cold reading practice tests is provided with answers and explanations. This passage comprises 7 questions divided into one question type -summary completion.

Table of contents:

Solution for A cure for the common cold

A cure for the common cold reading answers are listed in the table below. Verify your answers against our answer table, then correct any inaccuracies.

Answer Table

1. (your) Co-workers 5. Comfort food
2. Drowsiness 6. (Some) Ingredients
3. Preventive measure 7. (Light) Exercise
4. Honey  

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Passage

We’ve provided the reading passage of A Cure for the common cold. Read the passage and carefully complete the questions. Check the answers with our A Cure for the common cold reading answers with locations.

A Cure for the common cold

A
The average person comes down with three colds a year, each lasting for about nine days. There is still no cure but the following advice may help.

B
Take time off work, because your body will fight off the cold virus better if it is well-rested. However, if you have to work, avoid close contact with your co-workers as the virus is contagious. Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based disinfectant gel. Non-sedating allergy medications, which you can buy from a chemist, can decrease drowsiness and also alleviate the problems of a runny nose, watery eyes, and blocked sinuses.

C
As soon as you feel a cold coming on, boost your fluid intake. Water or juice is ideal but hot herbal teas with lemon will help thin mucus and expel it from the body. A warm gargle with salt water will relieve a scratchy throat by reducing inflammation and clearing mucus and irritants. It also flushes out bacteria and viruses so it can be used as a preventative measure as well.

D
The warm moisture generated by a hot shower or bath will soothe and clear nasal passages. Inhaling steam over a bowl of hot water relieves congested sinuses, too. For a tickly cough, the latest research suggests that honey, either straight from the jar or dissolved in a hot drink, works as well if not better than costly lozenges and sprays.

E
A good diet is essential for a quick recovery, so start the day with a healthy breakfast including vitamin C in the form of fresh fruit or berries. For lunch, chicken soup is good, but be sure to add chunks of lean chicken meat, for protein helps build immune cells. Not only is this the perfect comfort food but it has been proven to be medicinally beneficial. For dinner, a spicy curry makes a good decongestant, and some ingredients (ginger, garlic, chilli) are recognised as being anti-viral and anti-bacterial.

F
A little light exercise is beneficial, as this will enhance your emotional well-being, but don’t attempt anything too strenuous. Finally, to recharge your body and regain your strength, you need a full eight hours’ sleep.

Questions

Questions 1-7

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.

People usually get three colds every year. When sick, it is good to stay away from work because you need rest and you could spread the illness to 1. …………………. . Reduce 2.…………………. and cold symptoms by using medicines that you can buy from a pharmacy.

Drink a lot and gargle with salt water to help clear your throat. Gargling with salt water is a good 3. …………………. to keep you safe from future illness, too. Steam helps clear the nose and 4. …………………., instead of expensive medicine, is good for a cough.

Take lots of vitamin C. Chicken soup is healthy and it is ideal 5. …………………., as well as having curative properties. In the evening, a meal of hot curry will clear the airways. This also has 6. …………………. that can neutralise harmful bacteria and viruses. Some kind of 7. …………………. is a good idea to improve your mood and sleep will help you to get better. 

Answers for A Cure for the common cold With Explanations

A Cure for the common cold reading answers with explanations is given below. Refer to the following answers with an explanation section in order to correct your errors.

(Note: The text in italics mentions the location and referring lines written in the reading passage.)

1. Answer: (Your) Co-workers

Explanation: Located in the 2nd line of paragraph B, “However, if you have to work, avoid close contact with your co-workers as the virus is contagious”.

2. Answer: Drowsiness

Explanation: Located in the last line of paragraph B, “Non-sedating allergy medications, which you can buy from a chemist, can decrease drowsiness and also alleviate the problems of a runny nose, watery eyes, and blocked sinuses”.

3. Answer: Preventive measure

Explanation: Located in the last 2 lines of paragraph C, “A warm gargle with salt water will relieve a scratchy throat by reducing inflammation and clearing mucus and irritants. It also flushes out bacteria and viruses so it can be used as a preventative measure as well.”.

4. Answer: Honey

Explanation: Located in the last line of paragraph D, “For a tickly cough, the latest research suggests that honey, either straight from the jar or dissolved in a hot drink, works as well if not better than costly lozenges and sprays”.

5. Answer: Comfort food

Explanation: Located in the 2nd and 3rd lines of paragraph E, “chicken soup is good, but be sure to add chunks of lean chicken meat, for protein helps build immune cells. Not only is this the perfect comfort food but it has been proven to be medicinally beneficial”.

6. Answer: (Some) Ingredients

Explanation: Located in the last line of paragraph E, “For dinner, a spicy curry makes a good decongestant, and some ingredients (ginger, garlic, chilli) are recognised as being anti-viral and anti-bacterial‘.

7. Answer: (Light) Exercise

Explanation: Located in the 1st line of paragraph F, “A little light exercise is beneficial, as this will enhance your emotional well-being, but don’t attempt anything too strenuous”.

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About Author Roshan Sunthar

Roshan Sunthar is a study abroad expert as well as a renowned writer and author in international education. His academic excellence and 5+ years of work experience give him in-depth knowledge of international standardised exams and test preparation in IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, PTE, SAT, etc. The study materials he prepares incorporate exam-like questions. He’s also an expert in writing Statement of Purposes (SOPs) and Letter of Recommendations (LORs) for college admissions. He usually spends his leisure time watching English classics and documentaries, travelling, etc.

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