Practice mode Reading Comprehension

Which statement best sums up the passage about Ignaz Semmelweis?

Read the passage: In the 1840s, a Hungarian doctor named Ignaz Semmelweis was working in a large maternity hospital in Vienna. He was troubled that mothers in the ward run by doctors and medical students were dying of fever far more often than those in a ward run by midwives. Semmelweis noticed that the doctors often came straight from examining dead bodies. He suspected they were carrying something harmful on their hands and ordered staff to wash in a chlorine solution before seeing patients. Deaths fell dramatically. Yet many senior doctors rejected his ideas, partly because germs had not yet been identified as the cause of disease. Only years later did his work receive the recognition it deserved.

Correct answer B. A doctor showed that handwashing saved lives, but his idea was not accepted at first.

Explanation

The passage describes how Semmelweis's handwashing rule cut deaths dramatically, yet many senior doctors rejected it until years later, which option A sums up.

Report a problem

Answer checked How we write and check questions

Tip: press A, B, C or D to answer, and N for the next question.

Advertisement

Have a question about this answer?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Links and website addresses are not allowed in comments.