Read the following passage, then answer the question. M…
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Reаd the fоllоwing pаssаge, then answer the questiоn. Modern crowds that flood museums to view fabled treasures of Egyptian art are still captivated by the spell of one of the oldest and most alluring civilizations in history. Almost as old as the civilization founded in Mesopotamia during the fourth millennium B.C.E., Egyptian civilization provides a fascinating contrast to that of turmoil and tension of Mesopotamia. Not only were the Egyptians peaceful for long periods of their ancient history, but surviving Egyptian statuary and painted human figures often seem to smile and bask in the sun as if they were on summer vacation. Environmental factors best explain the striking differences. Since the Mesopotamian climate was harsh, and since the Tigris and Euphrates flooded irregularly, the Mesopotamians could not view nature as dependably life-enhancing. Furthermore, since Mesopotamia, located on an open plain, was not geographically protected from civilization, on the other hand, was centered on the dependably life-enhancing Nile. Not only did the richly fertile soil of the Nile valley provide great agricultural wealth, but the Nile flooded regularly year after year during the summer months and always receded in time for a bountiful growing season, offering Egyptians the feeling that nature was predictable and benign. In addition, since the Nile valley was surrounded by deserts and the Red Sea, Egypt was comparatively free from threats of foreign invasion. The main pattern of organization of the passage is...
Reаd the pаssаge then answer the questiоn that fоllоws. The American obesity epidemic presents a paradox. While we are a people often obsessed with the idea of eating the right foods, we have, arguably, the worst diet on earth. Other cultures with far fewer resources, less education, and minimal choices have exceedingly better diets. Take, for instance, the remote Masai people of East Africa. Consuming primarily cattle blood, meat, milk and vegetables, the Masai are heart-healthy, fit, and have an obesity rate of just about zero. Meanwhile, American obesity rates are pushing past 30 percent and are expected to reach near 50 percent by 2030! And remember, obese is defined as extremely overweight, not just uncomfortably fat. So, what exactly is it about the American diet that is creating such pervasive unhealthiness? First and foremost, too much food today is not real food. Industrial processing has created a nightmare of consumables packed with unpronounceable additives and preservatives. Worse still, many of these additives, such as high-fructose corn syrup and trans-fats, are addictive, tricking the taste buds into convincing the brain that the food is good, while, in fact, the food is terrible-and barely even food. Consider the typical fast-food French fry, which contains more than 20 ingredients-only one of which is actually potato. Packaged and canned foods are loaded with sodium, sugars, and fat to make them more appealing to our skewed appetites, further adding to the ever-growing snowball of obesity. The average American is so addicted to sugar saturation that he or she consumes more than 34 teaspoons of sugar per day. Nutritionist and health professionals point out that a return to eating real food is far more important than any other aspect when it comes to battling the obesity epidemic-more important than exercise or going on another diet. Simply focusing on eating real and whole foods (think tomato, not ketchup) can quickly change metabolism and energy levels for the better and drastically reduce junk "food" cravings. But what exactly is real food, and how do we know when we're eating it? Food author Michael Pollan, who coined the catchphrase "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants," offers some helpful pointers. First, don't eat anything that your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize-in other words, no chicken nuggets, Hamburger Helper, or even energy drinks. Also, avoid foods with more than five ingredients or any ingredients you can't pronounce; these foods probably contain unhealthy and addictive additives. Furthermore, shun fast-food chains completely; aside from the wilted piece of lettuce on your hamburger, there is rarely a sliver of real food in any of these establishments. Finally, focus your shopping on the perimeter of the supermarket, rather than its middle. The middle aisles are full of canned, boxed, and frozen foods that, in general, are neither whole nor real. Fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats tend to be on the outer edges of stores near loading docks, where they can be replaced more easily. The bottom line is that we need to simplify our eating in order to trim down as a nation. Seeking out unusual and complicated diets that involve supplements and strange food combinations only confuses our bodies and eventually leads to more weight gain. Fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and even salt and sugar are all necessary dietary components, but they should be consumed by way of whole, real food, instead of boxed, packaged, or canned "food." The following statement is a statement of... "Fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats tend to be on the outer edges of stores near loading docks, where they can be replaced more easily."
Reаd the pаssаge then answer the questiоn that fоllоws. The American obesity epidemic presents a paradox. While we are a people often obsessed with the idea of eating the right foods, we have, arguably, the worst diet on earth. Other cultures with far fewer resources, less education, and minimal choices have exceedingly better diets. Take, for instance, the remote Masai people of East Africa. Consuming primarily cattle blood, meat, milk and vegetables, the Masai are heart-healthy, fit, and have an obesity rate of just about zero. Meanwhile, American obesity rates are pushing past 30 percent and are expected to reach near 50 percent by 2030! And remember, obese is defined as extremely overweight, not just uncomfortably fat. So, what exactly is it about the American diet that is creating such pervasive unhealthiness? First and foremost, too much food today is not real food. Industrial processing has created a nightmare of consumables packed with unpronounceable additives and preservatives. Worse still, many of these additives, such as high-fructose corn syrup and trans-fats, are addictive, tricking the taste buds into convincing the brain that the food is good, while, in fact, the food is terrible-and barely even food. Consider the typical fast-food French fry, which contains more than 20 ingredients-only one of which is actually potato. Packaged and canned foods are loaded with sodium, sugars, and fat to make them more appealing to our skewed appetites, further adding to the ever-growing snowball of obesity. The average American is so addicted to sugar saturation that he or she consumes more than 34 teaspoons of sugar per day. Nutritionist and health professionals point out that a return to eating real food is far more important than any other aspect when it comes to battling the obesity epidemic-more important than exercise or going on another diet. Simply focusing on eating real and whole foods (think tomato, not ketchup) can quickly change metabolism and energy levels for the better and drastically reduce junk "food" cravings. But what exactly is real food, and how do we know when we're eating it? Food author Michael Pollan, who coined the catchphrase "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants," offers some helpful pointers. First, don't eat anything that your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize-in other words, no chicken nuggets, Hamburger Helper, or even energy drinks. Also, avoid foods with more than five ingredients or any ingredients you can't pronounce; these foods probably contain unhealthy and addictive additives. Furthermore, shun fast-food chains completely; aside from the wilted piece of lettuce on your hamburger, there is rarely a sliver of real food in any of these establishments. Finally, focus your shopping on the perimeter of the supermarket, rather than its middle. The middle aisles are full of canned, boxed, and frozen foods that, in general, are neither whole nor real. Fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats tend to be on the outer edges of stores near loading docks, where they can be replaced more easily. The bottom line is that we need to simplify our eating in order to trim down as a nation. Seeking out unusual and complicated diets that involve supplements and strange food combinations only confuses our bodies and eventually leads to more weight gain. Fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and even salt and sugar are all necessary dietary components, but they should be consumed by way of whole, real food, instead of boxed, packaged, or canned "food." According to the author, which of the following is not a helpful means to a healthy diet?