Achoo! - Reading Comprehension

Which of these is NOT the reason why people sneeze?

• The body is trying to get rid of germs and bacteria.

• Dust or pollen gets through the hairs in your nose.

• Sunlight causes the brain to confuse signals from the optic nerve that triggers the sneezing reflex.

• The blood vessels carry blood away from and towards the heart.

Do you ever sneeze when you walk into bright sunlight? About 25% of people experience this phenomenon. Scientists believe that the brain gets confused when signals from the optic nerve trigger the sneezing reflex in direct sunlight. This usually runs in families.

Why do some people sneeze when they walk into bright sunlight?

• The brain mixes up signals from the optic nerve, which triggers the sneezing reflex in some people.

• The body is trying to get rid of germs and bacteria.

• When you sneeze, germs from your nose get blown into the air.

• The nerves tell your brain that something is invading your body.

What does the German word 'gesundheit' mean?

• I wish you good health.

• I wish you God's blessings.

• I wish you a good day.

• I wish you would stop sneezing.

Do you ever sneeze when you walk into bright sunlight? About 25% of people experience this phenomenon.

Which is the best definition for the underlined word?

• relating to the nose

• a happening or fact that can be seen or known through the senses

• a powdery substance that can cause people to sneeze

• a nerve that sends messages

Fill in the the missing letters.

(clue: relating to the nose)

n _s_l