Reading Comprehension

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The federal government regulates dietary supplements through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The regulations for dietary supplements are not the same as those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements are less strict. To begin with, a manufacturer does not have to prove the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement before it is marketed. A manufacturer is permitted to say that a dietary supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health, or is linked to a particular body function (such as immunity) if there is research to support the claim. Such a claim must be followed by the words, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Also, manufacturers are expected to follow certain good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure that dietary supplements are processed consistently and meet quality standards. Requirements for GMPs went into effect in 2008 for large manufacturers and are being phased in for small manufacturers through 2010. Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors safety and product information, such as label claims and package inserts. If it finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer and/or distributor and may issue a warning or require that the product be removed from the marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for regulating product advertising; it requires that all information be truthful and not misleading. The federal government has taken legal action against a number of dietary supplement promoters or websites that promote or sell dietary supplements because they have made false or deceptive statements about their products or because marketed products have proven to be unsafe.

What is the meaning of the phrase 'phased in' as it is used in the third paragraph?

  • A. stunned into silence
  • B. confused
  • C. implemented in stages
  • D. legalized
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The phrase 'phased in' refers to implementing something gradually or in stages. In the context provided, it means that the requirements for GMPs were gradually introduced for small manufacturers over a period of time. This approach allows for a structured implementation of the regulations, ensuring that small manufacturers have time to comply with the new standards.

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Over the last few decades, medical experts have changed their thinking on the health effects of some common foods and beverages. Higher-fat foods and some alcoholic beverages like red wine and beer, once viewed as top threats to a healthy lifestyle, are now seen by many as less harmful and even as having some health benefits. But there is perhaps no topic that the medical community has reversed its
thinking on more often than coffee. Since long before the advent of modern medicine, public opinion regarding the health effects of coffee has been diverse and ever-changing. Opinion on coffee's health effects can be traced back several centuries. In the 1600s, doctors in England touted coffee as a cure for alcoholism, but some women complained that coffee was making their husbands impotent. They may have been correct, as caffeine is a
diuretic and can irritate the prostate (dehydration and prostatitis can both lead to erectile dysfunction). In the late 1700s, coffeehouses began opening all over colonial America, where coffee was seen as a healthy stimulant that helped the colonists work longer hours. But by the early 1900s, public concern grew as coffee consumption was blamed for a variety of common ailments, such as nervousness, indigestion, and insomnia. In the 1970s, medical journals published studies that linked coffee consumption with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks. In 2001, a meta-study indicated that coffee was responsible for a 20% increase in risk for urinary tract cancer. But starting in 2007, to the surprise of many, meta-studies began to show positive health effects of coffee consumption. A 2007 study showed that coffee was viewed by many as "practically a health food." However, CNN also warned that given the long history of flip-flops on the health effects of coffee, medical and public opinion on coffee could easily turn negative again.

What is the definition of the term insomnia as mentioned in the third paragraph?

  • A. Difficulty sleeping.
  • B. Double vision.
  • C. Dizziness.
  • D. Drowsiness.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Insomnia, as mentioned in the passage, is described as one of the common ailments attributed to coffee consumption. The term refers to the difficulty or trouble in falling asleep or staying asleep, which aligns with choice A, 'Difficulty sleeping.' Insomnia is characterized by a persistent problem with sleep patterns, leading to inadequate or poor-quality sleep, rather than symptoms like double vision, dizziness, or drowsiness.

Centuries ago, in the country of Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers
that displeased them by giving the offender a white elephant. Because the animal was could not
be made to work as other elephants did, but still had to be fed hundreds of pounds of fruit and cared for in the most lavish style. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the
recipient and in many cases they became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term "white elephant" as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The way of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings, and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The
second person can choose or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly
gifts and "stealing" someone else.

How did the people regard a white elephant?

  • A. If a village elder received a white elephant, the entire village shared in the supply of meat.
  • B. People tried very hard not to offend the king, so they would not receive a white elephant.
  • C. White elephants were highly prized as they were very hard workers in the cane fields.
  • D. The people of Siam vied for the honor of receiving the king's gift or a white elephant.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In ancient Siam, receiving a white elephant was considered a burden and a sign of displeasure from the rulers. The white elephant was not a useful animal for work like other elephants and was costly to maintain, leading to financial difficulties for the recipient. Therefore, people made efforts not to offend the king to avoid receiving such an unwanted and costly gift, which could lead to their impoverishment.

The ability to see at a distance, in good light, does not diminish as a result of aging to the extent
that other visual acuities do. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more common to younger eyes,
while presbyopia, or farsightedness, more commonly afflicts people as they age. The word
presbyopia comes from Greek presbys, "old man," and opia, "eye," and names a condition in
which, because the lens of the eye hardens slightly and loses elasticity as a person ages, one
cannot as easily focus sharply on nearby objects. This condition leads to the familiar habit of
lifting up one's glasses and bringing an object or reading material close to the face so that the
eyes can more easily focus on it. The function of the lens is to accommodate different focal
points so that sensory data can be correctly directed to the retina for interpretation into images by
the brain. Corrective lenses, particularly bifocals or progressive lenses, adjust for the focal point
aberration. In essence, they do the work that the eye can no longer do for itself.

The author of the passage would probably agree with which of the following statements relating corrective lenses and aging eyes?

  • A. A dancer with a broken bone needs a cast to protect it.
  • B. A hiker reinforces a fraying backpack strap with duct tape.
  • C. A traveler gets a passport before going abroad.
  • D. An athlete stretches before a game to avoid a potential injury.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage discusses how aging eyes experience presbyopia, where the lens loses elasticity, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects. Corrective lenses, like bifocals or progressive lenses, compensate for this loss of focusing ability. Similarly, a hiker reinforcing a fraying backpack strap with duct tape is akin to using corrective lenses to address the issue of aging eyes. Just as duct tape helps repair the strap, corrective lenses help address the vision problem associated with aging eyes. The other choices do not directly correlate with the relationship between corrective lenses and aging eyes as discussed in the passage.

Food

Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious physical and mental problems. Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the countryā€™s main health problems, since It places a great strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void, people often turn to food when they are bored or lonely.
Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The results of alcohol abuse are widely publicized. The social drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken drivers contribution to highway deaths, spousal and child abuse, are all concomitant problems associated with alcohol abuse.

The author seems to

  • A. Favor moderation.
  • B. oppose regulation of personal habits.
  • C. favor a strict diet.
  • D. oppose drinking alcohol.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The passage discusses the problems associated with food and alcohol abuse, emphasizing the health risks related to overeating and alcohol consumption. However, it does not advocate for extreme measures such as strict diets or complete opposition to alcohol. Instead, the author's focus on the consequences of abuse suggests a preference for moderation in eating and drinking habits. Therefore, the correct answer is A, indicating that the author seems to favor moderation.

Glass
I wonder who first discovered glass. This commodity has been a part of civilization from the very beginning. Imagine a world without glass! How dark and dismal it would be. No windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, sparkly drinking containers or mirrors. Life would not be the same without this wonderful discovery. Thank you, whoever found glass!
Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. It is a hard, brittle, transparent solid material composed mainly of silica, with additives to change the character of the glass. Common additives are soda, lime, lead, and boron. Each additive changes the properties of the final product. Soda and lime are the most common additives, accounting for about 90% of glass production. Adding lead increases reflectivity, causing the glass to "sparkle." The addition of boron changes the thermal and electrical properties of glass, allowing cookware that can be used in the oven without shattering.

What is the definition of the term 'brittle'?

  • A. Flexible and resilient
  • B. Easily broken
  • C. Strong and durable
  • D. Thick and heavy
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct definition of 'brittle' is 'Easily broken,' making choice B the correct answer. Brittle materials are prone to breaking or shattering when subjected to stress, lacking flexibility and resilience. In the context of the passage, glass is described as brittle, indicating its tendency to break easily when under pressure.

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