Google tracks flu

The internet search engine company Google has launched a new online tool to help track the spread of influenza in the United States. The company found that Americans falling ill searched for advice about flu online using its web facilities before they sought help from a doctor. Now the internet search engine Google has come up with a tool designed to register search requests for common phrases such as "flu symptoms" or "muscles aches".
"Our team found that certain search queries tend to be very common during the flu season each year," Google said in their official blog on the topic. "We compared these queries to data provided by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and we found that there's a very close relationship between the frequency of these search queries and the number of people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms each week."
Traditional survey techniques employed by the CDC take about two weeks to precisely identify outbreaks, and Google hopes that its data will serve as an early warning system that the CDC can then act upon.
There are also plans to roll out the system in other countries around the world. The new web tracker known as "Google Flu Trends" could act as an early warning system for internet users: if there are a lot of flu cases in your area, then you could take preventative measures such as have a flu jab. Early tests of the new web tool show it can detect regional outbreaks up to ten days earlier than the US health authorities.
A senior health expert from the United Nations told the BBC, Google Flu Trends would have to prove its reliability over time. But he added it could be very useful in nations where health authorities don't have a reliable database of infectious diseases.

Question 1 (2 Points)
Indicate whether the following questions are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.
a) Some people look on the internet before they make an appointment to see a doctor.
b) The methods used until now mean that the authorities know about increases in the number of diseases in a week.
c) The Google system has not yet demonstrated that it can be trusted.
d) Every country in the world has precise information on illnesses.

Question 2 (2 Points)
Answer the following questions in your own words.
a) How does Google Flu Trends identify areas where there are a lot of cases of flu?
b) How does the text suggest you can avoid catching flu?

Question 3 (1.5 points)
Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions below.
a) to create: paragraph 1
b) make available: paragraph 4
c) steps: paragraph 4

Question 4 (1.5 points)
Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.
a) Google has launched a new online tool to help track the spread of influenza.
A new online tool ……………………………………………….
b) Google said: "We found that there's a very close relationship between the frequency of search queries and the number of people who are experiencing flu symptoms each week."
Google said that …………………………………………………
c) Early tests of the new web tool show it can detect regional outbreaks up to ten days earlier.
When the web tool was tested, it………………………………………

Question 5 (3 points)
Write a short essay (120-150 words) about the following topic.
Many people say that the internet is the most important invention ever. Do you agree?

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