Germs Skills Test

1. Which statement below is the main idea of this article?

• a. Doctors and hospitals prefer to use alcohol-based sanitizers to combat germs.
• b. Germs are difficult to avoid, so washing your hands often won’t really help.
• c. All germs are harmful and should always be avoided whenever possible.
• d. Some germs are good, but others can be harmful and should be avoided.

2. How does the author support the idea that some germs are good?

• a. by explaining how we need good bacteria to keep our bodies healthy
• b. by naming the good bacteria specifically by its scientific identification
• c. by providing three reasons that we should protect the good bacteria in the body
• d. by giving ways that we can keep as much of the good bacteria as possible

3. Which piece of text evidence from the article best supports your answer to the previous question?

• a. They find their way into your system and can live there for days before you start feeling sick.
• b. Unlike bacteria, viruses can only grow inside the body.
• c. They help give our bodies the nutrients we need from the food we eat. Without them, we would not get the benefits of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
• d. Good bacteria lives inside of our digestive system, too.

4. Which reason below supports the idea that washing your hands with soap and water may not be the best way to combat germs?

• a. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the preferred way to keep your hands clean.
• b. Germs are within and on our bodies and on every surface you touch.
• c. Some items are rarely ever cleaned and students put their germy hands on them all day long.
• d. It is important to never drink water from a pool, lake, or stream.

5. Which source from the unit gives the most thorough reasons that germs are present on everyday surfaces?

• a. the excerpt from CDC.gov
• b. the main article text
• c. the graphic Top 5 Germ Hotspots in Schools
• d. the graphic Top 5 Germiest Places in Your Home

6. Which of the following is a way that we can prevent getting sick from protozoa?

• a. We can always be sure to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when washing.
• b. We can avoid contaminated areas where others may be sick like doctor’s offices.
• c. We can avoid drinking any water that has not been filtered, especially pool water.
• d. We can cover our sneeze with our sleeves so that our germs are not spread to others.

7. How are germs spread so easily to others?

• a. Fungi and Protozoa are spread more often than bacteria and viruses.
• b. Many people do not realize that washing their hands is so important.
• c. Germs are only spread easily in hospitals and doctor’s offices.
• d. Germs can be found in the air we breathe and on every surface we touch.

8. According to CDC.gov, how do we keep the good bacteria in our bodies?

• a. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will only kill bad bacteria.
• b. When washing our hands, we should be careful to keep the good bacteria.
• c. Good bacteria lives beneath the skin’s surface and comes back after washing.
• d. We can keep good bacteria by washing our hands only at certain times of the day.

9. Which statement about germ is included in the excerpt from CDC.gov but not the main article?

• a. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the best way to kill germs on hands.
• b. Good bacteria help us to digest healthy nutrients we need.
• c. The dirtiest places in your home are the kitchen sink and kitchen sponge.
• d. Your cell phone is 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat.

10. Which statement about germs can be found in the main article text as well as the CDC.gov excerpt?

• a. There are four main types of germs you should avoid.
• b. Many germs are bad, but the body needs some good germs to stay healthy.
• c. Items in the classroom that are shared carry a lot of germs since they are not washed regularly.
• d. Your cell phone should be washed each day to prevent germs from spreading.