Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies- IELTS Reading Answer

The Reading Module of the IELTS can be the top-scoring category, with diligent practice. To achieve the best results in this section, you must understand how to approach and answer the different Question types in the Reading Module. By solving and reviewing Sample Reading Questions from past IELTS papers, you can ensure that your Reading skills are up to the mark.

Reading Passage

Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies

Questions 14-19

14 What does fluoridation affect to prevent tooth decay?

15 What do dental bacteria produce?

16 When mouth pH goes below 5.5, what is dissolved?

17 What does fluoridation form in the mouth to restore mineral density in teeth?

18 What is the coating that remineralization ferns on teeth?

19 Through what mechanism does swallow fluoride go-to teeth?

Questions 20-24

20 Tooth decay

21 A constant, low level of fluoride in the mouth

22 Drinking water

23 Dental fluorosis

24 Acute fluoride poisoning

A Is the way most people around the world get fluoride

B Is a threat to public safety

C Can occur as a result of mishaps in adding fluoride to water

D Can be regarded as nutritious

E Is a widespread health issue in developed countries

F Is not as common in infants

G Is the best protection against tooth decay

H Is required to sustain our material survival and biological growth

I Is visible as faint lines across the teeth

j Is difficult to achieve amongst poorer people

Questions 25-26

Which TWO of the following statements form part of Connett’s opposition to fluoridation?

A Fluoridation is proven to be poisonous.

B Individuals react differently to fluoride.

C People may be fluoridated against their knowledge or will.

D Drinking water is not the most effective way to fluoridate teeth.

E When fluoridation stops, occurrences of tooth decay increase only slightly.

Reading Answer 

14 Answer: demineralization mechanism

Question type: Short Answer Question

Answer location: Paragraph 2

Answer explanation: The initial lines of paragraph 2 state that Fluoride’s function is to intervene in the demineralization mechanism of tooth decay. Demineralization is a process that begins when sugary carbohydrates are eaten, and organic acids are subsequently generated by bacteria within the dental plaque. We can deduce from these lines that the function of fluoride is to pause the demineralization process of tooth decay. It is a process that starts when surgery carbs are eaten and organic acids are generated by bacteria within dental plaque. Thus, fluoridation affects demineralization mechanisms to prevent tooth decay. Hence, the answer is the demineralization mechanism.

15 Answer: organic acids

Question type: Short Answer Question

Answer location: Paragraph 2, line 2

Answer explanation: Paragraph 2 illustrates that the primary function of fluoride is to prevent the demineralization mechanism to prevent tooth decay. The 2nd line states that Demineralisation is a process that begins when sugary carbohydrates are eaten, and organic acids are subsequently generated by bacteria within the dental plaque. Dental bacteria produce organic acids. Thus, the answer is organic acids.

16 Answer: tooth enamel/ carbonated hydroxyapatite

Question type: Short Answer Question

Answer location: Paragraph 2, line 3

Answer explanation: The 3rd line of paragraph 2 states that when a certain level of acidity is produced (pH in the oral cavity dips below 5.5), the acids waste away the main component of tooth enamel, a substance known as carbonated hydroxyapatite. These lines suggest that when the acidity level is produced, the acid destroys the primary component of tooth enamel, a substance known as carbonated hydroxyapatite. Hence, it is evident that tooth enamel or carbonated hydroxyapatite is dissolved when mouth pH goes below 5.5. Thus, the answer is tooth enamel/ carbonated hydroxyapatite.

17 Answer: (fluoride) ione

Question type: Short Answer Question

Answer location: Paragraph 3

Answer explanation: The introductory line of paragraph 3 states that fluoride can greatly assist the mouth with the remineralization of decaying enamel. Fluoridation creates fluoride ions in saliva that can restore some of the lost mineral content from enamel after sugary acids have left the oral cavity. These lines indicate that fluoridation forms in the mouth to restore mineral density in teeth due to fluoride ions. Thus, the answer is fluoride ions.

18 Answer: fluorapatite

Question type: Short Answer Question

Answer location: Paragraph 3, line 3

Answer explanation: The 3rd line of paragraph 3 states that when these ions exist in plaque fluid alongside dissolved carbonated hydroxyapatite, and the pH is higher than 4.5, a fluorapatite veneer covers the dental enamel. These lines suggest that the fluoride ions exist in the plaque fluid with the dissolved carbonated hydroxyapatite (tooth enamel) and if the pH is higher than 4.5, a fluorapatite veneer covers the dental enamel. Thus, fluorapatite is the coating that remineralizations form on teeth. Hence, the answer is fluorapatite.

19 Answer: blood plasma

Question type: Short Answer Question

Answer location: Paragraph 3, last line

Answer explanation: The last line of paragraph 3 states that Blood plasma transports any fluoride that has been ingested to calcium-rich areas such as the teeth, supporting dental infrastructure from the inside as well. We can deduce from these lines that through the blood plasma mechanism, the swallowed fluoride goes to the teeth. Thus, the answer is blood plasma.

20 Answer: E

Question type: Matching Sentence Ending

Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Answer explanation: The 2nd line of paragraph 4 states that while tooth decay is rarely a threat to mortality, it is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally and affects 60-90 percent of children across industrialized countries. These lines indicate that although tooth decay is rarely a threat to mortality, it’s one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Thus, tooth decay is a widespread health issue in developed countries. Hence, the answer is E.

21 Answer: G

Question type: Matching Sentence Ending

Answer location: Paragraph 4, line 4

Answer explanation: The 4th line of paragraph 4 states, Research suggests that the presence of fluoride in saliva at all times (but in small quantities) is the single most effective preventative measure of tooth decay. These lines indicate that according to the research, the presence of fluoride in the saliva is the single most effective preventive measure for tooth decay, which means a low level of fluoride in the mouth is the best protection against tooth decay. Thus, the answer is G.

22 Answer: A

Question type: Matching Sentence Ending

Answer location: Paragraph 4, last line

Answer explanation: The last line of paragraph 4 states that drinking water is the largest source of fluoride for people globally, and evidence demonstrates its efficacy in reducing cavities, particularly among poorer households without regular access to dentists. We can understand from these lines that drinking water is the largest way by which most people around the world get fluoride. Thus, the answer is A.

23 Answer: I

Question type: Matching Sentence Ending

Answer location: Paragraph 5

Answer explanation: Paragraph 5 states that nevertheless, in doses higher than those desirable, a side effect known as dental fluorosis can occur. Its primary symptom is streaking across the incisors and is considered a cosmetic problem for many people. These lines indicate that dental fluorosis is visible as faint lines across the teeth. Thus, the answer is I.

24 Answer: C

Question type: Matching Sentence Ending

Answer location: Paragraph 6

Answer explanation: Paragraph 6 states that it is far more serious than mild dental fluorosis, however. yet much rarer, is a condition known as acute fluoride poisoning. This does not happen very often, as it is unlikely that most people would ever come into contact with large amounts of Fluoride. It is evident from these lines that acute fluoride poisoning can occur as a result of mishaps in adding fluoride to water. Thus, the answer is C.

25 Answer: C

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph 7

Answer explanation: In the introductory lines of paragraph 7, it is mentioned that not everyone supports meter fluoridation, which means that people may be fluoridated against their will or knowledge. Thus, the answer is C.

26 Answer: D

Question type: Multiple Choice Question

Answer location: Paragraph 7, line 5

Answer explanation: The 5th line of paragraph 7 states that Connett finds that once water supplies are fluoridated it is impossible to control individual doses. This is because some people (manual laborers, athletes, diabetics, and people with kidney disease) drink more water than others, and we also receive fluoride from sources other than tap water. These lines indicate that drinking water is not the most effective way to fluoridate teeth. Thus, the answer is D.

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