Practice Tests
IELTS Reading (AC) Task 1 #132

A. The human microbiome refers to the vast and diverse community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, that live in and on the human body. The largest and most studied of these communities resides in the gut. For a long time, these microbes were viewed primarily as pathogens or harmless passengers. However, recent scientific research has revealed that this intricate ecosystem plays a crucial and symbiotic role in human health and disease, functioning almost like an additional organ.

B. These microorganisms perform a wide range of essential functions that our own bodies cannot. They help to digest food and synthesise vital nutrients, such as B vitamins and vitamin K. The gut microbiome is also fundamental to the development and proper functioning of our immune system, teaching it to distinguish between harmful pathogens and harmless antigens. A healthy and diverse microbiome acts as a protective barrier, preventing pathogenic bacteria from colonising the gut.

C. Disruptions to the delicate balance of the microbiome, a state known as dysbiosis, have been linked to a surprisingly wide array of health problems. It is associated not only with gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but also with systemic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, allergies, and even autoimmune disorders. Emerging research is also uncovering a powerful connection between the gut and the brain, known as the "gut-brain axis," suggesting that the microbiome can influence mood, behaviour, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

D. Factors that can negatively impact the microbiome include a poor diet low in fibre, the overuse of antibiotics, stress, and lack of sleep. Conversely, a diet rich in diverse plant-based foods, fibre, and fermented products can help to foster a healthy microbial community. This growing understanding of the microbiome is opening up new frontiers in medicine, with research focusing on novel therapeutic approaches like probiotics, prebiotics, and faecal microbiota transplantation to restore microbial balance and treat a variety of diseases.