TOPIC: HOMEOPATHY The Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment In the CAEL Assessment, you will be asked to do the things you would be expected to do in a university course. You will listen to a university lecture and take notes on a topic. You will read articles which provide you with additional information about the topic and answer questions about them. Finally, you will be asked to write a response to a question about the topic using information from the readings and the lecture. Summary Time Task Points 25 minutes Reading 1 25 points 25 minutes Listening 35 points 25 minutes Reading 2 25 points 45 minutes Writing Level placement Total time: 2 hours All of the information in this test relates to the topic of Homeopathy. You will need information from the readings and the lecture to complete the writing task. You will be writing an essay agreeing or disagreeing with the following: Homeopathy is a valid medical treatment and should be regulated by the government. 1
Reading 1: Homeopathy A Safe and Effective Natural Alternative (25 minutes/25 points) Read the questions first and then look for the information in the article. You do not need to write in complete sentences. 1. Does the reading favour homeopathy as a medical treatment? Circle one. YES NO Skill: P 1 2. Where would you find the answers to the following questions in the text? Match the number of the section with the information. One has been done for you Skill: P 3, U 17 ½ point for each correct answer 5 What is the role of the homeopath? 4 How should homeopathic remedies be stored at home? 1 What are the origins of homeopathic medicine? 6 What research is there on the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies? 3 What is the procedure for making a homeopathic remedy? 3. In the first paragraph of the reading, what evidence does the author use to show the popularity of homeopathy? Skill: U 14 One of: The leading alternative medicine used by Europeans In India over 100 million people depend solely on homeopathic medicine Widely-used in the United States or Canada or Mexico or Pakistan or Russia 2
4. Using section 1, complete the chart with information about homeopathy. (6) Skill: S 22 Homeopathy Cause of human illnesses Disorder in body and mind Disturbs the body s natural balance Types of symptoms Treatment Purpose of homeopathy Emotional Mental Physical Natural remedies made from plants, animals or minerals ½ point = plants, animals or minerals To restore the body to homeostasis OR a healthy balance Differences from conventional medicine Homeopathy: Designed to work with the immune system Not addictive Conventional western medicines: Sometimes oppose the actions of the immune system Example: cough medicines At times addictive 5. According to the Law of Similars, why would a tiny amount of coffee be used in a remedy for insomnia? Skill: U 18 Coffee before bed often causes sleeplessness 3
6. Label the diagrams to show how a homeopathic remedy is prepared. (5) Skill: U 14 DILUTION SUCCUSSION + 1 part: (1 point) 99 parts: Original natural ethanol (1 point) Shaken (1 point) substance and water (1 point) FURTHER SUCCUSSIONS FURTHER DILUTIONS + DYNAMIZATION: Increase in potency (1 point) 4
7. What does the author say the process of succession has done to create a therapeutically active medicine? Skill: U 14 Caused the transfer of the properties of the original natural substance to the surrounding water mixture. 8. List two examples of food or drink that a person should not consume when using a homeopathic remedy. Skill: I 6 Any two of: Mint; Mint ice cream Coffee Caffeinated sodas Drinks containing stimulants Ice cream = 0 points 9. Why will prescription of a homeopathic remedy usually take longer than prescription of a drug from a conventional medical doctor? Skill: I 9 Homeopath s task is to identify each patient s unique symptom profile (taking into account a variety of factors). OR Homeopaths (conduct extensive interviews with patients to) find out about external and internal factors that may contribute to the patient s symptoms. ½ point = Homeopaths conduct extensive interviews 10. What are the steps in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)? Skill: I 10, U 14 Participants chosen by chance Divided into two groups One group receives medication being tested Other group receives a placebo 5
11. According to the text, what have been the results of Randomized Controlled Trials? Check ( ) the best answer. Skill: S 20 The findings fully endorse homeopathy The findings fully disprove homeopathy The findings neither fully endorse nor fully disprove homeopathy 12. Give two reasons from the reading for RCTs not being entirely suitable for evaluating homeopathic treatment. Two of: Skill: I 9 Homeopathic treatment customized to the individual patient Many factors taken into consideration in homeopathy One drug fits all patients approach less applicable Collection of patients own reports on health after treatment is more appropriate Patients own reports reflect the experiences of real patients Homeopathic patients often have a complexity of medical problems Patients own reports include a broader variety of people Patients such as elderly or pregnant women not eligible for participation in an RCT 6
Listening 20 minutes/35 points During this part of the test you will hear a lecture about Homeopathy. The lecture will be played only once. You must answer the questions while you are listening to the lecture. The questions follow the sequence of the lecture. Do not stop to rewrite your answers during the listening. At the end of the lecture, you will have 5 minutes to go over your answers. Take 3 minutes now to read over the questions before listening to the lecture. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS WHILE LISTENING TO THE LECTURE 1. What is the focus of the lecture? Regulation of homeopathy Skill: I 2 2. How have some critics described homeopathy? Check ( ) all that you hear. (6) Quackery Genuine Science Real Pseudoscience Trickery A cruel deception Bogus Legitimate A scam Skill: I 8 3. What do citizens believe when a government makes regulations for a profession or medicine? Skill: U 15 Can be trusted OR trustworthy OR credible 7
4. Complete the chart to show the division of responsibilities for health care in Canada. (3) Skill: S 21 Responsibility for Health Care Laws in Canada Federal (National) Government Provincial and Territorial (Local) Governments Establishes laws/regulations on health issues for entire Canadian population. Regulates: Dangerous products Food and Drugs (1 point) (½ point for food or drugs) Inspections Safeguard health locally Examples: Hospitals (1 point) Healthcare supervision Healthcare programs Professional regulations (1 point) ½ point for professional or regulations 5. When did the Canadian Natural Health Care Products Regulations become effective? January 1, 2004 Skill: I 4 ½ point = 2004 0 point = January 1 6. Take notes on the lecturer s main points about the Canadian Natural Health Care Product Regulations for homeopathic remedies. Skill: U 10 (5) Any five of: Regulations include/cover homeopathic remedies Are not drugs Canadian government does not recognize homeopathic remedies as drugs Must be safe to be sold as over-the-counter products No prescription from a medical doctor needed Safety guaranteed by inclusion in CNHCP Are subject to a pre-market review (before they may be sold) Remedy issued a licence with a Homeopathic Medicine Number/DIN-HM (as proof government has authorized it for sale) 8
7. What does the lecturer say is the meaning of efficacy? Skill: U 16 Does it work? OR Does it do what it says it will do? 8. What is the difference between the educational qualifications of people practising homeopathy in Manitoba and Ontario? Skill: U 17 Manitoba: have medical degrees Ontario: do not have medical degrees 9. List examples of the standards established by the creation of regulations for a profession. Skill: I 6 Keeping up-to-date on new research Educational qualifications Rules for what can or cannot be done in the profession Methods of dealing with members who break the rules 9
10. Complete the chart with details about the Ontario Homeopathy Act. (6) Provisions of the Ontario Homeopathy Act Year enacted 2007 Established College of Homeopaths Skill: S 21 Purpose of College Restrictions on Homeopaths Patients To recognize homeopaths as professionals To govern the profession To ensure: the public is protected To register homeopaths To ensure homeopaths are: trained and qualified Cannot perform: restricted medical acts OR medical acts by trained medical doctors Can access: a list of registered homeopaths Will have somewhere to: complain 11. What were two purposes of the Professional Syndicate of Homeopaths of Quebec (the SPHQ)? Skill: U 15 Two of: legal protection rules ethics code 1500-hour training program 12. Why were medical doctors in Quebec opposed to the homeopaths in the SPHQ? No medical degrees Skill: U 17 10
13. Who may practice homeopathy legally in Quebec today? Only medical doctors 14. Who offers educational programs for homeopaths in Canada? Check ( ) one. universities public colleges private colleges public schools Skill: U 11 15. What is the lecturer s opinion about homeopathic education currently offered in Canada? Some programs not good quality Skill: U 12 16. What does the lecturer want you to think about? Who should be allowed to be a homeopath? Skill: I 5 Should homeopathy be regulated? STOP! THIS IS THE END OF THE LISTENING 11
Reading 2: Homeopathic Medicine (25 minutes/25 points) Read the questions first and then look for the information in the article. You do not need to write in complete sentences. 1. Where would you find this reading. Check ( ) one. textbook magazine academic journal novel Skill: I 5 2. What is the purpose of the article? Check ( ) the best answer. To give examples of people who use homeopathic remedies To encourage the use of homeopathic remedies To urge more research on homeopathic remedies Skill: P 1 3. In the second paragraph, how does the text define the placebo effect? A mental belief that the remedy would make her better Skill: U 12 4. Give an example from the text of each type of ingredient used in homeopathic remedies. (3) Skill: I 6 Plant: Onion or marigold or daisy or deadly nightshade Animal: Mineral: Snake venom Copper or graphite 5. Why do people not have side effects from homeopathic remedies made from toxic substances? Skill: U 14 Remedies are so diluted that they carry virtually no trace of the original substance. 12
6. Complete the flow chart about the concept of molecular memory. Skill: S 22 Water + homeopathic substance Change in structure of water (1 point) Water had a memory of original active ingredient (1 point) Beneficial effect on patient 7. What are two criticisms of the concept of molecular memory? Skill: S 19 Not in accordance with science Experiments that claim to have demonstrated the memory of water have not been reproducible 8. What did a Swiss-British team of researchers conclude about homeopathic remedies? Skill: U 17 There was weak evidence for any specific effects OR Not effective beyond were placebo effects 13
9. Complete the chart showing the arguments for and against using Randomized Controlled Tests for homeopathic remedies. (4) Skill: S 22 Randomized Controlled Tests: Arguments for and Against Their Use in Testing Homeopathic Remedies For the use of RCTs on homeopathic remedies Are a scientific way of evaluating the effectiveness of new medications Use the same procedures and circumstances each time Quantitative Comparative Controlled (3) Against the use of RCTs on homeopathic remedies Not suitable Better evaluation of homeopathic treatment from: Interviews and reports from patients 10. What may be the causes of patient satisfaction after treatment by a homeopath? a long and empathetic consultation with a homeopath the patient having the kind of illness that would clear up on its own. Skill: I 9 14
11. Complete the chart to show the potential dangers of homeopathy. (3) Skill: S 22 Possible Danger Culture Homeopaths advice to patients Potential Dangers of Homeopathy Details Encourages people to treat themselves Encourages reliance on homeopaths who may have no medical qualifications Patients delay or do not seek proper treatment by a medically-trained doctor May be jeopardizing patients health by advising against conventional medicines Examples at 10 British homeopathic clinics: Telling people they need not take conventional antimalaria drugs if visiting high-risk parts of world. Recommended anti-malarial remedy that was 99.99% water (with an almost undetectable trace of quinine) 12. Put a check ( ) against the two best answers. Skill: P 4 Homeopaths must be medical doctors in the E.U., U.A.E and Japan. Homeopaths must be medical doctors in Iran. All homeopathic remedies are classified as medical drugs in the E.U. All homeopathic remedies are classified as medical drugs in the U.S., Canada and Japan. 15
13. Give two specific pieces of information from this reading that you will use to write the essay. Skill: S 24 Any two ideas/examples/explanations that are specific from the reading 0 points = generalities (e.g. It gives me information for the body of the essay ) THIS IS THE END OF READING 2 16