The Buzz about Bee Sting Therapy
Using Bee Venom in the Treatment of  MS and Arthritis


Vocabulary Development
 
Reading Exercise
Grammar Exercise 

Answer Key

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&  Vocabulary Development Activity:  top  

Working with Medical Terminology

Part One:   
Instructions
:   Identify the word form [noun, adjective, adverb, verb] of each of the following:
 

mobility

therapies

medicinal

anti-inflammatory

anti-depressants

chronic

fatigue

homeopaths

itching

allergic

therapeutic

Part Two:   
Instructions:   Arrange the words from the exercise above into the following categories:

(1)  Things that a patient would complain about:  

(2)   People:  

(3)  Things that a doctor would prescribe:     

(4)  Expressions that a physician would use:  

Part Three:   
Instructions:   Complete the sentences using the appropriate word from the list above.

1.  The patient was prescribed ____________________ because he had been suffering from a prolonged bout of depression.

2.  Many older women who suffer from osteoarthritis complain of a significant loss in __________________. 

3.  Many elementary schools have banned peanuts and peanut products because a significant number of pupils suffer from severe ______________ reactions. 

4.  Although relatively harmless, chickenpox is usually accompanied by incessant ________________. 

5.  In your own words, explain what the following sentence means.    
The physician was concerned because Daniel had been suffering from chronic fatigue for quite some time.  

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$  Reading Exercise   top

Instructions:    Read the following text and complete the comprehension questions that follow.

Confronted with modern medicine’s inability to treat their  chronic pain and decreasing mobility, many multiple sclerosis and arthritis patients are seeking alternative therapies.  One such therapy that is turning some heads is apitherapy, which is the medicinal use of honey bee products.    The science of using bee venom to treat illness is not new; it has been practiced for centuries.  Honey bee venom contains many active substances, most importantly, Melittin. This substance is reputed to be an effective anti-inflammatory, 100 times more potent than hydrocortisol.   In addition, bee venom contains small amounts of Dopamine and Seratonin, two substances found in many antidepressants and narcotics. 

The next logical question is:  Why would anyone want to be stung by a bee?   According to recent studies, bee venom therapy can be used in a wide variety of medical situations.  Many arthritis sufferers report a significant reduction in inflammation of their joints, asthmatics claim that their breathing improves, chronic back and neck pain sufferers describe improvement in their mobility and finally, multiple sclerosis patients testify that they have increased stability and less fatigue.   

So how does one get this bee venom anyways?  Immediately, what comes to mind is an image of  hundreds of people running around a meadow waiting to get stung by bees.  Although this may work under the right conditions, it is certainly not very practical.  Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) is usually performed by apitherapists, beekeepers, acupuncturists and homeopaths.  Using tweezers, a bee is removed from a container and held over the area to be stung.  The number of stings varies from patient to patient, but on average, an individual would receive half a dozen stings 2 or 3 times per week.  There have been reports of some multiple sclerosis sufferers receiving up to 80 stings in one session! 

Side effects of BVT are usually mild and limited to temporary local swelling and itching.  However, it should be noted that as with all bee stings, there is a risk of an anaphylactic allergic reaction.   Despite the promising results that individual patients report, scientists are quick to point out that there have been no conclusive medical studies to support the therapeutic effects of BVT.  Physicians around the globe suggest that further “controlled” and “scientific” research must be conducted before the benefits of BVT can be authenticated.  

 top

1.   The main idea of the article is:  
(a)  BVT has greatly reduced the symptoms in bees suffering from multiple sclerosis.    
(b) Scientists support funding BVT research.   
(c) BVT has improved the lives of some people.   
(d) Bee keepers must purchase tweezers before treating people with bee venom.    

2.  Locate a word in the 2nd paragraph that is an antonym of “energy”.    _______________

3.  The expression turning some heads (in paragraph one) means:    
(a)  The therapy causes sudden head movements.   
(b)  The therapy has captured public attention.   
(c)  Bees tend to sting people in the face.   
(d)   Doctors are turning to bees more frequently. 

4.  The word bee (in the 1st line of the 3rd paragraph) is:   
(a) a noun   (b) a verb   (c) an adjective  (d) an adverb

5.  The phrasal verb point out (in the 4th paragraph) means all of the following EXCEPT:    
(a) review   (b) call attention to   (c) indicate   (d) mention 

6.  Use the phrasal verb point out  in your own sentence. 

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7. Does the “traditional” medical establishment support the use of BVT?          Yes/No 

 
Explain:   ___________________________________________________________________________

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8.  What does the word authenticated (in the 4th paragraph) mean?   

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9.  The article mentions tweezers (in the 3rd paragraph); in your own words, describe what they are and what they are used for.

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þ    Grammar Exercise:   top  

Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Adjective Clauses     

There are two types of adjective clauses:  restrictive and nonrestrictive

ONE

Restrictive adjective clauses are often called “necessary adjective clauses” because the information contained in the clause is considered to be necessary to both identify the noun and provide the “true” meaning of the sentence. 

- This type of clause has no commas before it or around it. 

{example}    
I have three sisters.         My sister who lives in Ottawa got married last Saturday. 

TWO

Nonrestrictive adjective clauses are often called “unnecessary adjective clauses” because the information contained in the clause is not needed to make the “true” meaning of the sentence understood. 

-This type of clause always has commas around it or before it. 

{example}    
My father, who lives in Ottawa, was able to attend my sister’s wedding.

F  It is also important to remember that we can not use “that” in a nonrestrictive adjective clause.

           Just remember this simple rule:     comma + “that”   change to   comma + “which”

Here are some strategies you can use to determine if the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive:

(a) It is usually a nonrestrictive clause if the noun has a modifier before it.  As a result, the adjective clause after the noun simply provides “extra” but not “essential” meaning. 

{example}    
My oldest sister, whose name is Alice, got married last weekend. 

(b)  If you have a specific name of a place (proper noun), the clause is considered to be nonrestrictive and therefore, requires additional punctuation (commas).  

{example}    
Ottawa, which is our national capital, was the site of Alice’s wedding.

(c)  When you have the specific name of a person (and definitely when this person is well known), we consider the clause to be nonrestrictive. 

{example}    
Jean Chretien, who is our Prime Minister, was unable to attend my sister’s wedding.

(d)  If you have the specific name of a geographical place/location, the clause is considered to be nonrestrictive. 

{example}    
The Ottawa Valley, which is in Canada’s heartland, provided a beautiful location for my sister’s honeymoon. 
    

Exercise One   top  

(1) Underlined the adjective clause.   
(2) Identify if it is essential or non essential.  
(3) If necessary, provide the correct punctuation.

1.  My TOEFL book which I left on my desk contains my notes for the upcoming test.

2.  Dr. Raj who is an expert in bee venom therapy supports BVT in the treatment of arthritis.

3.  The students who didn’t brush up on their notes failed the test.

4.  Tom’s father who lives in Hull, Quebec was one of the ushers at Alice’s wedding.

5.  My cousin is the woman who is wearing the purple sweater.

6.  The blue Hyundai which is parked beside the black Nissan belongs to Ali.

7.  All of the adult ESL schools which belong to the Toronto Catholic District School Board will be closed for the Professional Development Day.

8.  The practitioner who supported BVT was at odds with the medical establishment.

Exercise Two   top  
  
Create adjective clauses by combining the following sentences. Make sure that you provide the appropriate punctuation depending on if the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive. 

1.  The architect Jack Diamond is Canadian.  He designed the atrium.

2.  My sister wed a delightful young man.  He recently published his first novel.

3.  The small island nation has only one airport.  This airport is surprisingly busy.

4.  This abstract painting is one of my favorites.  It is hanging over the couch.

5.  Pierre Trudeau will be sorely missed.  He was a very popular Prime Minister.

6.  The students will be allowed to register in English 201.  The students completed English 101.  
[Be careful…This one is difficult!] 

7.  The University of Toronto has an ethnically diverse student population.  The U of T is located in downtown Toronto.

8.  The patient reported a significant increase in mobility.  The patient recently began bee venom therapy.

Exercise Three    

Now it’s your turn to write!  Compose your own restrictive and nonrestrictive adjective clause.

1. Restrictive adjective clause

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2. Nonrestrictive adjective clause

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