Question

What is the main idea of this article? A. High sodium levels in food are unhealthy for most people. B. Sodium is a poison and has no redeeming qualities. C. People eat too much food and should be told to eat less. D. People are just irresponsible in what they choose to eat.

Answer 1

Pass the Salt

Research has shown that people who live in busy, industrial nations spend more time at work and less time at home. Apart from the stress this lifestyle can cause, it can lead to other health risks as well. People who do not have the time to prepare healthy, home cooked meals usually eat food that has been processed, frozen, or otherwise preserved. The number one item used in food preservation is sodium. Busy, working people are consuming large amounts of sodium, which is affecting their health.
Doctors have determined that the average healthy person should consume around 1500 milligrams of sodium a day. Studies have shown that people who eat fast food or preserved food on a regular basis consume far more than this healthy number. For instance, one meal that has been processed and preserved in this method can contain as much as one and a third times the average daily recommendation. That comes to almost 2000 milligrams of sodium in one meal alone. If a person eats three of these meals in a day, that is 6000 milligrams of sodium, or four times, the average daily recommendation.
In the body, sodium controls the elasticity of cell membranes and helps the body regulate fluids. Low sodium levels mean that a person’s body has trouble retaining water, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. High sodium levels means that the body retains too much water, which can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure leads to heart failure. High sodium levels also can cause kidney and renal failure. Busy people who eat unhealthy meals that are high in sodium are slowly killing themselves.
The food packaging industry drastically needs to reduce the levels of sodium they add to foods. The time for action is now. If these companies cannot take direct action, then it is the duty of the government to demand stricter limitations on sodium additives and harsher punishments and fines for violators. The health of our society and our labor force depends upon it.

The author's claim in this passage is:


A. Salt is the #1 reason for obesity in America.


B. Packaged foods are the cause of our biggest health concerns.


C. Industrialized nations have health problems that more rural nations do not.


D. Over consumption of sodium is impacting health.

Answer 2

@Arcadiouse

Answer 3

What evidence does the author give to support the statement that processed foods have unhealthy levels of sodium?

A. People who live in industrial nations spend too much time at work and less at home.


B. Low levels of sodium in the body can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.


C. A normal, healthy person should consume around 500 milligrams of sodium a day.


D. One preserved meal can contain one and a third times the recommended daily sodium.

Answer 4

A. for the first question. D for the second, and D for this one.

Answer 5

The purpose of paragraph 4 is:

A. a counterargument that explains the benefits of sodium


B. a rebuttal that disproves any benefits of sodium


C. a call to action to persuade the way food is processed


D. a summary of the points made within the text