According to the text, antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics, making them ineffective against infections.

: Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize drugs for chronic conditions (like diabetes or asthma) over antibiotics because they are more lucrative.

Compounding the problem is a significant decline in drug discovery. Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize (like those for asthma or diabetes) over antibiotics, which are relatively inexpensive and used for short durations. Key Drivers of Global Resistance Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance - Bacteria - Scribd

Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize profitable chronic drugs over researching new antibiotics. Key Themes to Focus On

The WHO estimates that at least 700,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant infections. If no action is taken, this number is projected to reach 10 million per year by 2050, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of death.

"The Growing Global Threat of Antibiotic Resistance" IELTS passage outlines how misused antibiotics and agricultural practices accelerate bacterial evolution into untreatable superbugs, causing millions of deaths annually. Verified answers confirm this, highlighting that simple hygiene can mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria while underscoring that misuse is rampant in healthcare. For the full, verified reading answers, visit IELTS Material . Antibiotic resistance: a rundown of a global crisis - PMC