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2015 ‫מועד דצמבר‬ - 47 - ‫ פרק שני‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each
question, choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 13-17)

(1) The people of Madagascar, an island off the coast of Africa, often go to traditional
healers when they are sick. These healers have long told patients with diabetes to eat
java plums, the fruit of the Eugenia jambolana tree. In the late 1960s, scientists began
to study the fruit and were amazed to discover that its seeds do, in fact, contain a

(5) powerful medicine that can be used to treat diabetes. In 1997, the Malagasy Institute of
Applied Research (IMRA) began producing a drug called Madeglucyl from this
substance.

In order to make the medicine, IMRA needed large amounts of java plums. Entire
families of villagers were hired and trained to pick the best fruit, remove the seeds, and

(10) dry them. IMRA suggested that the villagers make jam from the leftover fruit. This
idea has been beneficial in more ways than one. Not only is the sweet jam very healthy,
but the local people earn money selling it.

IMRA's project also helps protect the environment. In the past, Eugenia jambolana

trees were often cut down for fuel and building material. But now, with so many people
(15) making their living from the fruit of the trees, the destruction of the forests has stopped.

Questions

13. The main purpose of the text is to discuss how -

(1) traditional healers in Madagascar treat diabetes
(2) a new drug has changed the lives of villagers in Madagascar
(3) IMRA is trying to protect the environment
(4) Madeglucyl is made from the fruit of the Eugenia jambolana tree

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬