Speed Reading — Baldness Cure - Level 6 — 500 wpm 

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.

This is the text (if you need help).

Scientists say they believe they are close to finding a cure for baldness. This is welcome news for millions of people worldwide who are losing their hair or who are bald. Researchers from a medical institute in California have been working on developing stem cells that can regenerate hair growth. The scientists say their technique has been successful in implanting and developing fresh growth in a way that replicates natural hair reproduction. Researcher Alexey Terskikh said: "Our new protocol overcomes key technological challenges....Now we have a robust, highly controlled method for generating natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using an unlimited source of human stem cells."

Baldness affects approximately half of men worldwide by the age of 50. Products for hair replacement and hair transplants have developed into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Hair transplant surgery can cost up to $50,000. Scientists have been working on finding a cure for decades. The process of hair loss usually begins in men when they are in their early twenties or thirties. This can lead to anxiety and a loss of self-confidence. Many men worry about receding hairlines, bald spots and baldness. Baldness is also a problem for women. Many women suffer from thinning hair later in life. A doctor said: "Hair loss profoundly affects many people's lives."

Comprehension questions
  1. What kind of news did the article say this was for bald people?
  2. Where are the researchers who conducted the research based?
  3. What do researchers say their technique replicates?
  4. What did a researcher say the technique overcame?
  5. What can researchers use an unlimited source of?
  6. What proportion of men does baldness affect?
  7. What kind of industry did the article call hair replacement?
  8. For how long have scientists been trying to find a cure for baldness?
  9. According to the article, what can hair loss lead to a loss of?
  10. How did a doctor say hair loss affects people's lives?

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