M2U1 Midunit Review

What is the author's purpose?

• To convince readers that food additives are dangerous

• to convince readers that food additives are safe

• to inform readers of research results about food additives

• to convince readers that food additives should be used more to help improve taste

Answer explanation

The author spends a lot of the excerpt discussing the dangers of food additives and the health problems they could cause.

What is the main claim of the text?

• Color additives are dangerous and should be avoided.

• Studies show that changing the color of a food can be dangerous.

• Changing the color of food makes it more appealing for kids.

• Changing the color of food does not change the taste.

Which of the following would be a supporting point for the author's claim that food additives are dangerous?

• The colors added to food have become more and more bright, making them more and more attractive to young people.

• The government claims that color additives in food are safe to consume.

• Color additives are dangerous because they change the natural colors of our food so that humans can’t use color as a clue as to whether the food is safe to eat.

• Tartrazine is the most dangerous food additive.

What is one piece of relevant evidence from the text for the supporting point that food additives are dangerous because they change the natural color of foods?

• “They seemed much more hyperactive when they had the drink full of artificial ingredients than when they had the fruit juice.”

• “Some laundry detergents and window-washing fluids are the same bright blue color as drinks such as Frost Gatorade. Small children have tried to drink these toxic liquids, thinking they will taste delicious.”

• “Boys are more likely than girls to try foods that are strangely colored (like purple French fries and purple ketchup) or foods that do strange things in your mouth (like Mega Warheads, which turn your tongue blue).”

• g“Carmine can cause allergic reactions in some people. Tartrazine, a yellow food coloring, can cause hyperactivity, headaches, rashes, and an increased risk of asthma in some children.”

Answer explanation

• 
  

  “Some laundry detergents and window-washing fluids are the same bright blue color as drinks such as Frost Gatorade. Small children have tried to drink these toxic liquids, thinking they will taste delicious.”

How does the author support their claim in paragraph 2?

• The author makes a connection between food dyes and the harmful impacts it can have on the safety of children.

• The author makes a connection between food dyes and the the positive impacts it has on the health of adults.

• The author makes a connection between food dyes and the harmful impacts it has on the environment.

• The author doesn't provide sound reasoning in paragraph 2.

What type of evidence is the quote listed below?

“We assume that because these things do not make us drop dead, they’re safe,” says Dr. Vyvyan Howard, a leading expert on toxic substances at the University of Liverpool in England. “It’s not true. In my opinion, I would recommend that kids just stay away from them.”

• Anecdote

• Expert Testimony

• Statistics

• Reason

What topic is the author addressing?

• industrial organic farming

• farmer's markets

• industrial farming

• organic farming

The author's attitude towards the topic is that industrial farmers are more concerned with making (a)   .

What is the author's reason for writing this?

• to demonstrate that industrial famers treat their animals better than organic farmers

• to persuade people to eat more vegetables

• to inform readers of working conditions in farms

• to demonstrate that industrial farmers do not treat their animals well

Please provide textual evidence that show's the author point of view/ attitude about the topic.

Answer explanation

One piece of evidence you could have chosen was "If that means forcing cows to eat corn, even when it is unnatural for them, then that is what must be done".