Flu immunisation

Flu immunisation

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This task is about finding information from a text.
ACOL VOLUNTARY FLU IMMUNISATION PROGRAM
As you are no doubt aware, the flu can strike rapidly and extensively during winter. It can leave its victims ill for weeks.
The best way to fight the virus is to have a fit and healthy body. Daily exercise and a diet including plenty of fruit and vegetables are highly recommended to assist the immune system to fight this invading virus.

needle for injection

ACOL has decided to offer staff the opportunity to be immunised against the flu as an additional way to prevent this insidious virus from spreading amongst us. ACOL has arranged for a nurse to administer the immunisations at ACOL, during a half-day session in work hours in the week of May 17. This program is free and available to all members of staff.
Participation is voluntary. Staff taking up the option will be asked to sign a consent form indicating that they do not have any allergies, and that they understand they may experience minor side effects.
Medical advice indicates that the immunisation does not produce influenza. However, it may cause some side effects such as fatigue, mild fever, and tenderness of the arm.

green cartoon germ

WHO SHOULD BE IMMUNISED?
Anyone interested in being protected against the virus.
This immunisation is especially recommended for people over the age of 65. But regardless of age, ANYONE who has a chronic debilitating disease, especially cardiac, pulmonary, bronchial, or diabetic conditions.
In an office environment ALL staff are at risk of catching the flu.
 
WHO SHOULD NOT BE IMMUNISED?
Individuals hypersensitive to eggs, people suffering from an acute feverish illness, and pregnant women.
Check with your doctor if you are taking any medication or have had a previous reaction to a flu injection.

dotted line

If you would like to be immunised in the week of May 17 please advise the personnel officer, Fiona McSweeney, by Friday May 7. The date and time will be set according to the availability of the nurse, the number of participants, and the time convenient for most staff. If you would like to be immunised for this winter but cannot attend at the arranged time please let Fiona know. An alternative session may be arranged if there are sufficient numbers.
For further information please contact Fiona on ext. 5577.
sign for enjoy good health
 
 
Fiona McSweeney, the personnel officer at a company called ACOL, prepared the information sheet above for ACOL staff.
Refer to the information sheet to answer the questions which follow.
 
1. Which one of the following describes a feature of the ACOL flu immunisation program?
 
(A)  Daily exercise classes will be run during the winter.
(B)  Immunisations will be given during working hours.
(C)  A small bonus will be offered to participants.
(D)  A doctor will give the injections.
 
2. We can talk about the content of a piece of writing (what it says). We can talk about its style (the way it is presented). Fiona wanted the style of this information sheet to be friendly and encouraging. Do you think she succeeded? Explain your answer by referring in detail to the layout, style of writing, pictures, or other graphics.

 
 
3. This information sheet suggests that if you want to protect yourself against the flu virus, a flu injection is:
 
(A) more effective than exercise and a healthy diet, but more risky.
(B) a good idea, but not a substitute for exercise and a healthy diet.
(C) as effective as exercise and a healthy diet and less troublesome.
(D) not worth considering if you have plenty of exercise and a healthy diet.
 
4. Part of the information sheet says:

Who should be immunised? Anyone interested in being protected against the virus.
After Fiona had circulated the information sheet, a colleague told her that she should have left out the words "Anyone interested in being protected against the virus" because they were misleading. Do you agree that these words are misleading and should have been left out? Explain your answer.
 
 
5.
According to the information sheet, which one of these staff members should contact Fiona?
  (A) Steve from the store, who does not want to be immunised because he would rather rely on his natural immunity.
  (B) Julie from sales, who wants to know if the immunisation program is compulsory.
  (C) Alice from the mailroom who would like to be immunised this winter but is having a baby in two months.
  (C) Michael from accounts who would like to be immunised but will be on leave in the week of May 17.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Copyright: 
© OECD (2002). Reproduced with permission of the OECD.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Reading
Keywords: 
pisa, comprehension, style, layout
Description of task: 
Students read about a flu immunisation program and answer five questions to show their understanding of the text.
Answers/responses: 
 

Age 15 (09/2000)

1.

B

74%

2.

Answers which refer accurately to the text AND relate style to purpose, and in a way that is consistent with the writer's intention of being "friendly and encouraging". The answer must do AT LEAST ONE of the following:

  1. refer to one of the features in detail (layout, style of writing, pictures, or other graphics or other similar detail) – that is, to a specific part or quality of a feature; AND/OR
  2. use evaluative terms other than "friendly" and "encouraging". (NOTE: Such terms as "interesting", "easy to read", and "clear" are not sufficiently specific on their own.)

Opinion about whether Fiona succeeded may be stated or implied. For example:

  • No, it was a bad idea to put a picture of a syringe near the beginning. That looks scary. NOTE: Refers to one specific part of the design: a particular picture (1). Uses own evaluative term: "scary" (2).
  • Yes, the pictures break up the writing and make it easy to read. NOTE: Describes a specific aspect of layout (1).
  • The cartoon-like picture of the virus is friendly. NOTE: Refers to a specific aspect ("cartoon-like") of one illustration (1).
  • No, the pictures are childish and irrelevant. NOTE: Uses own terms ("childish", "irrelevant") to evaluate one of the features mentioned in the stem (2).
  • Yes, the written style is relaxed and informal. NOTE: Uses own terms ("relaxed", "informal") to evaluate one of the features mentioned in the stem (2).
  • Yes, the style was warm and inviting. NOTE: Uses own terms to evaluate style (2).
  • There is too much writing. People wouldn't bother reading it. NOTE: Refers to a relevant feature of the presentation: amount of text (1). Uses own evaluative terms (2).
  • She doesn't put pressure on people to get the injection, and that would encourage people. NOTE: Implicit reference to manner or register: an aspect of style (2).
  • No, the writing style is very formal. NOTE: Debatable but plausible application of own evaluative term: "formal" (2).

47%
 

Answers which refer accurately to the text AND relate purpose to information and content (rather than style), and acknowledge the writer's intention of being "friendly and encouraging". Opinion about whether Fiona succeeded may be stated or implied. For example:

  • No, there is no way that a message about having an injection could be friendly and encouraging.
  • Yes, she succeeded. She gives many opportunities and can arrange times for flu immunisation. She also gives suggestions about health.

57%

3.

B

61%

4.

Answers which evaluate the section of text in relation to the term "misleading" by indicating that there is a potential contradiction. ("Who should be immunised? Anyone . . ." vs "Who should not be immunised?"). May or may not explain what the contradiction is. Agreement or disagreement may be stated or implied. For example:

  • Yes, because it would be dangerous for some people to have the immunisation (e.g., pregnant women). NOTE: Describes contradiction.
  • No, because you only have to read another couple of lines to realise that some people shouldn't have the injection, and on the whole she wants people to have it.
  • Yes, because she says "anyone" can and later she states the people who should not be immunised. NOTE: Contradiction identified.
  • This line suggests that all people should get the vaccine, which is untrue. NOTE: Contradiction briefly indicated.
  • Yes, to some extent. Maybe: "Anyone interested in being protected against the virus, but who doesn't suffer from any of the following symptoms or diseases." NOTE: Suggested rewording implies recognition of the contradiction.

or

Answers which evaluate the section of text in relation to the term "misleading" by indicating that the statement may be an exaggeration. (i.e., Not everyone needs the immunisation, or the immunisation does not offer complete protection.) May or may not explain what the exaggeration is. Agreement or disagreement may be stated or implied. For example:

  • Leave out because having the immunisation is not a guarantee that you won't get the flu.
  • I don't agree, even though it makes it sound as if you will definitely get the flu if you don't have the injection.
  • Having the injection is not a complete protection.
  • Leave out because not everyone gets the flu, especially if you are fit and well.
  • Yes I agree because it makes the shot sound better than it is. NOTE: Implies an exaggeration, though unspecified.

36%

5.

D

56%
 
NOTE: © OECD (2002). Reproduced with permission of the OECD.