FCTC Reading Comprehension and Recall Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The WHO FCTC obliges Parties to implement comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, subject to their constitutional principles.' What does the phrase 'subject to their constitutional principles' suggest?
- Countries may apply the ban differently based on their own legal frameworks (Correct answer)
- Countries with free speech protections are permanently exempt from the ban
- Only countries without constitutions must enforce the advertising ban
- The ban applies only to government-sponsored tobacco advertising
Correct answer: Countries may apply the ban differently based on their own legal frameworks
The qualifying phrase acknowledges that domestic constitutional constraints, such as free speech protections, may affect how countries implement the advertising ban.
Question 2: You read a passage that uses the word 'illicit' several times when discussing tobacco trade. Based on context, what does 'illicit' most likely mean?
- Illegal or prohibited by law (Correct answer)
- Highly profitable
- Internationally traded across borders
- Unregulated but not necessarily illegal
Correct answer: Illegal or prohibited by law
In the context of trade and tobacco control documents, 'illicit' consistently refers to activities that are illegal or forbidden by law.
Question 3: A chart in a study shows tobacco use prevalence declining from 42% in 1980 to 21% in 2020 in Country X. What is the most accurate statement you can make based on this data?
- Tobacco use in Country X dropped by half over the 40-year period shown (Correct answer)
- Country X has achieved the WHO target for tobacco use reduction
- No one in Country X smokes tobacco as of 2020
- The decline was caused solely by tobacco tax increases
Correct answer: Tobacco use in Country X dropped by half over the 40-year period shown
The data shows a drop from 42% to 21%, which is exactly half, over the period from 1980 to 2020—this is the only claim fully supported by the numbers.
Question 4: A text passage includes this sentence: 'Tobacco kills up to half of its users.' What reading comprehension skill is most important when encountering the phrase 'up to half'?
- Recognizing that the phrase signals an upper-bound estimate, not a fixed statistic (Correct answer)
- Understanding that exactly 50% of all tobacco users will die from tobacco-related causes
- Noting that the other half of tobacco users experience no health consequences
- Identifying this as an exaggeration used to persuade readers emotionally
Correct answer: Recognizing that the phrase signals an upper-bound estimate, not a fixed statistic
'Up to half' is a ceiling estimate, meaning the real figure could be lower but will not exceed approximately 50%.
Question 5: After reading an article, you are asked: 'According to the passage, what three elements must be present for effective tobacco control policy?' You remember the passage listed enforcement, funding, and public education. What is your best answer?
- Enforcement, funding, and public education, as stated in the passage (Correct answer)
- Legislation, international cooperation, and taxation, which are standard policy pillars
- Any three elements from the article that you found most important
- Enforcement and funding, since you are unsure about the third element
Correct answer: Enforcement, funding, and public education, as stated in the passage
Recall questions require you to reproduce what the source text stated; you should report exactly what you remember reading even if other answers seem plausible.
Question 6: A paragraph describes two strategies: 'demand reduction' and 'supply reduction.' The passage states demand reduction focuses on discouraging use while supply reduction targets availability. A question asks which strategy includes price and tax measures. What is the correct answer?
- Demand reduction, because price increases discourage people from purchasing tobacco (Correct answer)
- Supply reduction, because higher prices limit the quantity suppliers can sell
- Both strategies equally, since taxation affects supply and demand simultaneously
- Neither strategy, since taxation is classified separately as a fiscal policy tool
Correct answer: Demand reduction, because price increases discourage people from purchasing tobacco
The FCTC framework classifies price and tax measures under demand reduction because they reduce consumer purchasing behavior.
Question 7: A passage uses the phrase 'evidence-based measures' when recommending tobacco control approaches. What does this phrase indicate about the recommended measures?
- They are supported by scientific research and data demonstrating their effectiveness (Correct answer)
- They are based on anecdotal reports from public health workers in the field
- They have been implemented by at least one country and produced any result
- They are approved exclusively by WHO member states through a voting process
Correct answer: They are supported by scientific research and data demonstrating their effectiveness
'Evidence-based' is a specific term meaning an approach is grounded in peer-reviewed scientific evidence demonstrating it works.
FCTC Reading Comprehension and Recall Questions and Answers 4
A passage states: 'The WHO FCTC obliges Parties to implement comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, subject to their constitutional principles.' What does the phrase 'subject to their constitutional principles' suggest?