Sick Building Syndrome: Causes and Solutions

Posted on Mar 14, 2025 in English

Sick Building Syndrome: Causes & Solutions

Reading Comprehension

Section 1

1. The air is less polluted. More people are becoming aware of environmental issues.
2. Although doctors recognize the symptoms of sick building syndrome, they can’t find specific causes to explain them.
3. There has been an increase in people suffering from sick building syndrome.
4. Energy-efficient buildings prevent heat from escaping and fresh air from entering through windows.
5. Even if poor air quality isn’t the direct cause, it’s not good for people’s health.

Section 2 – Test 1

1. Although doctors recognize sick building syndrome, they can’t explain its causes.
2. Energy-efficient buildings don’t allow heat to escape or fresh air in through windows.
3. People won’t feel well if the air quality and lighting are bad.
4. Even if poor air quality isn’t the main cause, it’s not good for people’s health.
5. Bosses are responsible for improving the quality of air that their workers are breathing.

Section 3 – Test 2 and 3

1. How do we know that sick building syndrome is a genuine illness? Doctors confirm that the health problems are genuine.
2. What do doctors sometimes advise sufferers to do? They advise sufferers to stop working in a particular building.
3. Apart from poor quality air, what are the possible physical causes? Poor lighting and heating problems.
4. Which psychological or social factors might contribute? Stress, boredom, and bad relationships with co-workers and managers.
5. According to the winter 2011 article, what are employers’ responsibilities? They must do everything possible to improve the quality of air that their workers breathe.

Vocabulary

Section 1 – Test 1: Choose the Correct Answer

1. Rick broke a rib.
2. The restaurant served some bad fish, and several people got food poisoning.
3. Maggie has a sore throat.
4. I have to sit down because I feel dizzy.
5. Joe got three bee stings.
6. She was wearing a bandage on her wrist.
7. They hurried to get some ointment for the burn.

Section 2 – Test 2: Match the Words

1. Bandage – d. A strip of fabric used to protect or cover an injury.
2. Food poisoning – c. An illness caused by eating contaminated food.
3. Pills – g. Small, solid doses of medicine.
4. Skin – a. The outer covering of the body.
5. Neck – f. The part of the body connecting the head to the shoulders.
6. Sting – b. A small, painful wound caused by an insect or plant.
7. X-ray – e. A picture of the inside of the body.

Section 3 – Test 3

1. Skin- b. The organ that forms the outer surface of the body
2. Wildlife- d. Animals living in their natural environment
3. Stings- f. Sharp, pointed parts of insects that can hurt
4. Make- e. To create or cause something
5. Gang- a. A group of people, often involved in crime
6. Plot- c. The main story of a book, film, etc.

Section 4 – Test 1: Complete the Sentences

1. Dylan can’t join us because he has a heart condition.
2. The doctor took my temperature.
3. I stayed in the sun too long and got a burned back.
4. The saleslady showed me a beautiful silk scarf for my neck.
5. Liam began to cough.
6. Many people didn’t survive the flu epidemic.

Section 5 – Test 2: Circle the Word

1. Brain
2. Wrist
3. Swollen
4. Throat
5. Spine

Section 6 – Test 3: Correct the Sentences

1. You use your brain to think.
2. Eve broke two ribs in the accident.
3. Did you get that mosquito bite?
4. Air, wind, and water are renewable energy sources.
5. He stood in the shadows, so I couldn’t see his face.
6. The film had a surprising plot twist.
7. The accident on the motorway caused a huge traffic jam.

Grammar

Section 1 – Test 1: Complete with Modals

1. My grandfather asked if I could help him.
2. He won’t be able to go to the concert because he has to work.
3. You may not open this present until your birthday.
4. Our coach always tells us that we can win if we try hard.
5. I need to repair the computer.

Section 2 – Test 2: Correct Form of Modals

1. Harry stayed after school because he needed to finish his project.
2. Katie says her head hurts and she thinks she should see a doctor.
3. You may not use this equipment without supervision.
4. I might go dancing tonight, but I’m not sure yet.
5. Terry is a good runner; he is able to run a marathon in under three hours.

Section 3 – Test 3: Correct the Mistakes

1. The guide told the group that the bus was leaving in ten minutes.
2. If my book report had been better, the teacher would have given me a higher grade.
3. Rob must buy a new phone because his old one is broken.
4. Jennifer has collected stamps since she was a child.
5. All the boxes will be packed by tomorrow morning.

Exercises

3-Test 1

1. Don’t eat too much cake or you will be sick.
2. Andrea began to sneeze when she opened the dusty box.
3. You should clean that dog bite carefully.
4. Max hurt his spine playing football.
5. In the spring, I feel itchy because of my allergies.
6. She always gets a bad cold in winter.
7. The doctor will call you after he sees your X-ray.

3-Test 2

1. Alice was sick yesterday.
2. Jason broke his ribs.
3. The children were excited to see the man climbing up without holding the shoulder.
4. My mother is taking me to the doctor because I was coughing.
5. The ointment that the doctor gave me helped a lot.
6. You should drink hot tea if you have a sore throat.
7. If you get a snake bite, you should go to the hospital immediately.
8. You’ll hurt your back if you lift that heavy box.

3-Test 3

1. This lemon juice tastes sour.
2. Could I lend your book?
3. Helen’s parents were anxious about her.
4. My brother has finally saved enough money to buy a car.
5. He became the heir to his uncle’s fortune.
6. In the spring, my skin feels itchy.
7. All the newspapers reported the volcanic eruption.