Spark Study Buddy (Explorer): Man in China finds dice stuck in nose for more than 20 years
This page has an easy read with questions to test your understanding and work on your English skills.
It goes without saying, but don’t put dice up your nose. Photo: ShutterstockContent provided by British Council
[1] A young man was shocked to discover that a dice had been stuck in his nasal cavity for more than 20 years. The man, 23, is known simply as Xiaoma. He is from Xian, Shanxi province, in northern China. Xiaoma had been suffering from sneezing, nasal congestion, and a constant runny nose for nearly a month, as reported by Bailu Video.
[2] He made several unsuccessful attempts to treat himself with traditional Chinese medicine. Finally, he sought help at Xian Gaoxin Hospital. The hospital diagnosed him with allergic rhinitis. This means the lining of his nose was inflamed. Then, they found a foreign object in his nasal passage, according to the clinic’s medical record. A doctor named Yang Rong examined him by sending a tube with a small camera through his nasal cavity. That is when he found the dice.
[3] Yang explained that his team discovered a white, sticky object inside Xiaoma’s nose. It was a two-cm dice, partially destroyed from being stuck in his nasal cavity for a long time. It was located in the lower nasal passage. This caused damage to the lining of his nose.
[4] Xiaoma said the dice may have accidentally entered his nose when he was about three or four years old. Still, it remains unclear how it ended up there. The dice had been stuck to the tissue in his nose for a long time, making the situation risky. Any mistake during the examination could have caused the dice to go down his throat. This could have led to suffocation.
[5] Fortunately, the dice was successfully removed through surgery, ending its decades-long stay in Xiaoma’s nose. It remains unclear if Xiaoma will have any long-term health issues or side effects from living with the dice for over 20 years.
[6] Yang stressed the importance of parents watching their children carefully while playing. He said parents should ensure they do not put anything up their noses. The objects can go into the back of the nose or even the throat, which can be life-threatening. Such situations typically require immediate emergency treatment.
[7] The incident led to many shocked comments online. One person asked: “He’s only 23 years old, and the dice has been stuck in his nose for 20 years? How big was his nostril at three years old? Honestly, it’s impressive he managed to live with that for 20 years.” Another commented: “This is a wake-up call for parents. Foreign objects in the nose are no joke. Any abnormal symptoms should be addressed immediately at a hospital!”
Source: South China Morning Post, November 22
Questions
1. According to paragraph 1, the man had a runny nose for …
A. less than two days
B. about one month.
C. slightly less than 10 years.
D. more than 20 years.
2. How big is the dice mentioned in paragraph 3?
3. According to Xiaoma in paragraph 4, how old might he have been when the dice went up his nose?
4. In paragraph 6, why is it dangerous for a child to put objects up their nose?
5. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. A man in China discovered that a small dice had been stuck in his nose for many years.
B. A man in China discovered that a small dice had been stuck in his nose since many years.
C. A man in China discovered that a small dice had been stuck in his nose many earlier years.
D. A man in China discovered that a small dice had been stuck in his nose many after years.
6. Circle the correct prepositions. (3 marks)
A young man had a dice stuck in his nose for (i) (over / in) 20 years. The dice was stuck (ii) (on / in) his lower nasal passage. People online were shocked (iii) (of / by) the incident.
Answers
1. B
2. two cm / two centimetres (any one)
3. three or four years old
4. The objects can go into the back of the child’s nose or even their throat, which can be life-threatening.
5. A
6. (i) over; (ii) in; (iii) by