PART I: WRITTEN RECEPTION (70 points)

(ACCESS TO INFORMATION FROM WRITTEN TEXTS)

Read the text below and then answer questions 1–8.

LOSING THE SENSE OF SMELL – AND GETTING IT BACK

I Like millions of other people, Laura Atkins caught Covid last year. She recovered quickly, but
one problem remained: her sense of smell disappeared. This also prevented her from tasting most
foods. The inability to smell, which is called anosmia, sometimes develops when a person has Covid.
Usually, the sense of smell returns within a few weeks after recovery. But studies show that anosmia
5 can last for six months or more.
II Anosmia can have a negative effect on our health. For example, when we can't enjoy food we
lose our appetite, and that can result in serious medical problems. We also need our sense of smell
to make us aware of various dangers, such as smoke from a fire or rotten food. In addition, some
people use their senses of smell and taste at work. Atkins herself is a chef at a restaurant. "Of course,
10 to do my job I have to recognize the smell and taste of the food I'm preparing," she says.
III Anosmia is not new to doctors. Some patients develop this condition when they have a cold or
the flu. "In the past, there was almost no research on the problem because it went away as soon as
people got well again," says Dr. Anna Greensmith. "But now with Covid, it does not go away so fast.
So scientists have begun investigating how Covid causes anosmia. And they are also trying to help
15 people get their sense of smell back."
IV At the moment, the best treatment for anosmia is smell training. Patients need to choose four
familiar, strong smells and to sniff them twice every day. They also have to imagine situations in
which they have experienced these smells. For example, if they choose the smell of a shampoo,
they can imagine themselves washing their hair. "This helps the brain recall the smells, and that's
20 an important part of the training," explains Greensmith.
V People doing smell training must be very patient because the sense of smell returns very
slowly. Atkins, who is getting this treatment, is pleased with her progress. "It's taking a long time,"
she says, "but I've finally recovered enough to go back to work at the restaurant."

<u>QUESTIONS</u> (70 points)
Answer questions 1–8 in <u>English</u>, according to the text. In questions 6 and 7, circle the number of the correct answer. In the other questions, follow the instructions.