📘 Getting Ready for the Task

Welcome to Module 1! In this session, we build the core vocabulary, transitional phrases, and grammatical precision you need before writing your full essay.

Part A: Word Forms

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the word in brackets.

1. Scientists identified a highly infectious [pathogen] strain that resisted standard antiviral drugs.

2. Airborne droplets can rapidly [transmission] the virus across poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

3. Many carriers shed viral particles [asymptomatic], making early detection difficult without widespread testing.

4. The new respiratory variant proved to be far more [contagion] than earlier seasonal strains.

5. Strict border checks were instituted in an attempt to [containment] the initial wave of infection.

Part B: Natural Collocations

Choose the option that forms the most natural academic collocation.

1. When supply chains faltered, governments were forced to tap into their strategic emergency medical ___.

2. In order to curb rising casualty numbers, authorities decided to ___ a nationwide lockdown.

3. Investing early in disease surveillance significantly bolsters overall pandemic ___.

4. Emergency room nurses had to perform rapid medical ___ to allocate intensive care beds to the most critical patients.

5. Modern public health departments rely heavily on data from field ___ to track infection vectors and reproduction rates.

Part C: Essential Essay Transitions

Fill in the blanks using each phrase from the bank exactly once:

1. ___, centralized data collection can provoke legitimate public unease regarding personal privacy.

2. ___ substantial logistical hurdles, the emergency clinic managed to screen thousands of residents within 48 hours.

3. ___ individual liberties must temporarily yield when collective survival is at stake.

4. Voluntary reporting rarely achieves full public compliance. ___, legally mandated disclosures provide comprehensive tracking data.

5. Hospitals were overwhelmed with inbound cases. ___, elective procedures were cancelled indefinitely.

Part D: Paraphrasing Sentence Practice

Rewrite each statement to make it more concise and formal for a Task 2 essay. Select the best academic paraphrase.

Which sentence is the most effective academic paraphrase?

Which sentence is the most effective academic paraphrase?

Which sentence is the most effective academic paraphrase?

Part E: Grammar Recap (Complex Gerunds & Infinitives)

Choose the grammatically correct perfect or passive form to complete each sentence.

1. ___ of the virus mutation months earlier, international agencies faced severe criticism for their delayed travel advisories.

Tip: think about which action happened first.

2. In emergency declarations, health ministers want ___ decisive measures in order to maintain public trust.

Tip: think about who does the action.

3. Many citizens objected to ___ for their vaccination status prior to entering grocery stores.

Tip: think about the word before the gap and who does the action.