Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. PART A: Which statement best expresses the central idea of the text?

A. The immune system does more harm than good when it’s fighting the flu because of the life-threatening symptoms it can cause.

B. The influenza virus brings about many uncomfortable sensations in the body as it slowly spreads to more cells.

C. Much of the discomfort that people feel when they’re infected with influenza virus is from their immune system’s attack on the infection.

D. While the influenza virus causes painful symptoms throughout the body, the immune system releases cells that soothe the damage that it has been done.

2. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

A. “Every year, from 5 to 20 percent of the people in the United States will become infected with influenza virus. An average of 200,000 of these people will require hospitalization and up to 50,000 will die.” (Paragraph 1)

B. “When T cells specifically recognize influenza virus proteins, they then begin to proliferate in the lymph nodes around the lungs and throat. This causes swelling and pain in these lymph nodes.” (Paragraph 6)

C. “This results in a prolonged infection and greater lung damage. This can also set the stage for complications including secondary bacterial pneumonia, which can often be deadly.” (Paragraph 8)

D. “Functionally, influenza infection also hinders walking and leg strength. Importantly, in young individuals, these effects are transient and return to normal once the infection was cleared.” (Paragraph 14)

3. What is the author’s main purpose in the text?

A. to encourage people to get vaccinated for the influenza virus to avoid the symptoms

B. to show how the immune system actually does more damage than the virus itself

C. to explain to people that the worse they feel during the flu, the faster they’re healing

D. to explain why people feel so horrible when they’re infected with the influenza virus

4. How does paragraph 9 contribute to the development of ideas in the text?

A. It shows how the immune systems is responsible for symptoms beyond the parts of the body directly affected by the virus.

B. It provides readers with all the symptoms that they will likely experience during the flu, improving their ability to recognize it.

C. It emphasizes how the influenza virus is capable of spreading to more important areas of the body through the blood stream.

D. It shows how the immune system goes overboard when it’s fighting an infection, spreading to areas of the body that are healthy.

5. What connection does the author draw between the effects of the influenza virus on the body and a person’s age? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.