Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de participar en debates complejos sobre ética científica, utilizando un vocabulario especializado en biotecnología y manipulación genética. Deberías sentirte cómodo utilizando estructuras avanzadas para reportar opiniones, alegaciones y exigencias de terceros.

Asimismo, habrás desarrollado la capacidad de analizar textos académicos sobre ciencia y producir respuestas escritas coherentes que mantengan un registro formal. Este nivel de competencia es esencial para alcanzar el éxito en el examen C1 Advanced, donde se requiere precisión léxica y control gramatical sofisticado.

Grammar consolidation

Part 1: Sentence Transformation Rewrite the sentences using the word in capitals so that the second sentence has a similar meaning to the first. Do not change the word given.

1. "I didn't steal the laboratory samples!" said the researcher. DENIED The researcher ________ the laboratory samples.

2. "You must complete the clinical trials immediately," the supervisor told the team. URGED The supervisor ________ the clinical trials immediately.

3. "The results are definitely falsified!" the scientist shouted. INSISTED The scientist ________ the results were falsified.

4. "He didn't commit the crime, despite what people say," she argued. ALLEGED It was ________ that he had committed the crime.

Part 2: Error Correction Identify and correct the error in each sentence.

5. The committee denied to have leaked the confidential genetic data.
6. She insisted on tell me that the experiment was a success.
7. The whistleblower urged that we should to investigate the lab's safety protocols.

Part 3: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the following sentences using the reporting verb provided.

8. "We will not accept these unethical regulations," the professors said. (REFUSED)
9. "I am innocent of these charges," the scientist said. (MAINTAINED)
10. "Please, stop tampering with the DNA sequences," the ethics board said to the researchers. (ADVISED)

Vocabulary activation

Part 1: Word Formation Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in capitals.

1. The ________ of CRISPR technology has changed medicine forever. (REVOLUTION)
2. There are significant ________ concerns regarding GMOs. (ETHIC)
3. Scientists are working on the ________ of extinct species. (RECONSTRUCT)
4. The ________ of the new drug is still being tested. (SAFE)

Part 2: Collocations Select the correct collocation to complete the sentence.

5. The researchers managed to ___ a breakthrough in gene therapy. a) make b) achieve c) do d) take

6. We must consider the ___ implications of cloning humans. a) moralistic b) ethical c) morality d) ethicism

7. The laboratory is subject to ___ regulations. a) stringent b) heavy c) hard d) tight

8. The patient underwent a ___ procedure to repair the faulty gene. a) cutting-edge b) sharp-edged c) high-level d) front-line

Part 3: Register & Context Choose the most appropriate word for a formal academic report.

9. The data suggests a ___ correlation between the gene and the disease. a) strong b) massive c) heavy d) giant

10. The experiment was designed to ___ the effects of radiation. a) look at b) investigate c) check out d) find out

11. The discovery led to an ___ increase in research funding. a) exponential b) big c) huge d) way

12. The scientist's claims were ___ by new evidence. a) backed up b) supported c) held up d) stood by

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Ethics of CRISPR

The advent of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has provided scientists with an unprecedented ability to edit the genome with surgical precision. While the potential to eradicate hereditary diseases is immense, the technology also opens a "Pandora's box" of ethical dilemmas. One of the primary concerns is the prospect of "designer babies"—where genetic engineering is used not for medical necessity, but for enhancement of physical or cognitive traits. This could lead to a new form of social inequality, where genetic advantages are only available to the wealthy. Furthermore, the long-term effects of germline editing—changes that are passed down to future generations—remain entirely unknown. We are effectively altering the human evolutionary trajectory without the consent of those who will inherit these changes. As we stand on the precipice of a biological revolution, the global community must establish rigorous regulatory frameworks to ensure that scientific progress does not outpace our moral responsibility.

Task Instructions

Lee el texto anterior y redacta una respuesta de entre 180 y 220 palabras. En tu respuesta, debes: 1. Resumir los puntos principales del texto. 2. Evaluar si estás de acuerdo con la idea de que el progreso científico debe estar limitado por la ética. 3. Proponer una posible solución para evitar la desigualdad social mencionada en el texto.

Speaking checkpoint

Responde a estas preguntas de forma oral para practicar tu fluidez y capacidad de argumentación de nivel C1.

1. Compare: Compare the benefits of traditional medicine with the potential of genetic engineering.
2. Speculate: How might society change if humans could live for 150 years due to biotechnological advances?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the risks versus the rewards of using gene editing to eliminate certain diseases.
4. Justify: Justify whether or not governments should strictly regulate private biotechnology companies.
5. Speculate: What kind of ethical dilemmas might arise if we could "upload" human consciousness to a computer?
6. Evaluate: To what extent should parental choice be allowed in the genetic selection of offspring?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. The researcher denied stealing / having stolen the laboratory samples. 2. The supervisor urged the team to complete the clinical trials immediately. 3. The scientist insisted that the results were falsified. 4. It was alleged that he had committed the crime. 5. The committee denied leaking the confidential genetic data. (Use: denied leaking or denied having leaked) 6. She insisted on telling me that the experiment was a success. 7. The whistleblower urged us to investigate the lab's safety protocols. 8. The professors refused to accept these unethical regulations. 9. The scientist maintained that he was innocent of those charges. 10. The ethics board advised the researchers to stop tampering with the DNA sequences.

Vocabulary activation 1. revolution 2. ethical 3. reconstruction 4. safety 5. b) achieve 6. b) ethical 7. a) stringent 8. a) cutting-edge 9. a) strong 10. b) investigate 11. a) exponential 12. b) supported