Uninvited Guest

What is one type of tiny organism that calls your body home sweet home?

• mice

• bacteria

• cats

• eggs

What does the author describe in this text?

• the effects of microscopic organisms living in the body

• the effects of certain diets on developing cancers

• the effects of illness such as colds and the flu

• the effects of practicing bad hygiene

Bacteria can be good for the body? What evidence from the text supports this statement?

• Just as there are four major blood types, there are three (or maybe more) different “gut types.

• Bacteria on your skin and inside your gut prevent other, more harmful bacteria from moving in and making you sick

• Some experts think that without worms to fight, our immune systems have gotten confused and turned on our bodies instead.

• Many antibacterial soaps contain a compound that kills some bacteria but not others

Based on the information in the text, what can you infer about a person living with a parasite in his or her body

• A person can feel the parasite crawling on or in his or her body.

• A person may be infected with a parasite without even knowing it.

• A person will never be able to tell if he or she is infected with a parasite.

• A person will only know if he or she was infected with a parasite after the parasite is dead.

What is the main idea of this text?

• Rates of allergies and autoimmune diseases have skyrocketed.

• Scientists believe there are three or more different “gut types.

• Our immune systems have gotten confused and turned on our bodies.

• The human body is home to many tiny organisms

Read these sentences from the text."You’ve gotten to know just a handful of the thousands of species that live inside (and on) you. Are you freaked out yet? Don’t be."Why might the author have used the phrase "freaked out" here?

• to frighten readers about the thousands of species living in the body

• to comfort readers by using familiar and funny language

• to make fun of readers who may be disgusted by bacteria

• to emphasize to readers how serious a topic this is

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.For most of human history, people were home to all kinds of worms. __________, worm infections are relatively rare in the developed world today.

• However

• As a result

• Specifically

• Consequently