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UNIT 8 STROKE
Section 1: Reading comprehension

Julie’s grandmother was 56 years old when she had a stroke. It happened on Julie’s birthday.
They had been at her grandmother’s house. Her grandmother was cutting the cake. All of a sudden
she dropped the knife. She said her hand and arm felt numb. They took her to the hospital. Her
grandmother had had a stroke. In the hospital the stroke became worse. The entire left side of her
body became paralyzed. She stayed in the hospital for several weeks. At first she could not talk well.
She slurred her words. After a couple of weeks her speech improved. While her grandmother, Doris,
stayed in the hospital, a therapist taught her exercises so her left arm and leg would not get any
worse.

When Doris came home from the hospital she used a walker. For the past 7 years she has used
a cane. Since she was left – handed, she has to learn how to do everything with her right hand. Often
Julie pushes her grandmother in a wheelchair when they go shopping.

Doris has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A couple of days before her stroke, she
has been stirring soup when her hand became numb for a while. That was the only warning sign
she had. Some people do not have any warning symptoms. In most cases, the disability reaches its
maximum within minutes, but occasionally, as in the case of Julie’s grandmother, it can take several
hours. Doris’s stroke was caused by a blood clot in her carotid artery. The carotid artery is in the neck
and leads to the brain.

Julie’s dad recently stopped smoking since smoking can add to the risk of a stroke.

He has started an exercise program to help bring down his high blood pressure. Now he is
learning about eating a low fat diet. This will also help reduce the risk of a stroke.

Questions and Answers
Use the story on Stroke to answer the following questions.
1. How old was Doris when she had her stroke?
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2. Why was Doris at risk of a stroke?
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3. What does Doris use to help her walk?
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4. What type of handicap does Doris have?
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5. What caused Doris’ stroke?
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6. Why did Julie’s dad stop smoking?
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7. What are three things Julie’s dad did to help reduce the risk of a stroke?
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8. How did the therapist help Doris?
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9. Do you know anyone who has had a stroke? If so, write a couple of sentences about this person.
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