The Skinny on Low Fat Diets

1.) What was the author's main purpose in writing this article?

• A. to describe the types of foods that are included in a low-fat diet

• B. to explain how a low-fat diet causes a human body to lose weight

• C. to inform readers of the benefits and drawbacks of a low-fat diet

• D. to persuade readers that a low-fat diet is not a healthy way to eat

2.) What is the purpose of the following sentence in paragraph 1?

"However, new research suggests that this diet is not as beneficial as it was once thought."

• A. It introduces the concept that low-fat diets are not as good as people thought.

• B. It explains why a low-fat diet is not healthy and wholesome to follow.

• C. It develops the concept that low-fat diets are the most nutritious diets to eat.

• D. It argues that following a low-fat diet is both difficult and costly.

3.) In paragraph 1, why does the author compare dieters to King Arthur and his knights?

• A. to illustrate how dieters should approach finding the right diet like they are going on a long quest

• B. to show that many dieters thought that finding the right diet was like finding the Holy Grail

• C. to explain how dieting can be a long and irritating experience for dieters on the low-fat diet

• D. to describe how focusing on a perfect goal can help dieters to achieve their weight-loss goals

4.)What does paragraph 2 contribute to the development of ideas in the selection?

• A. It shows why people adopt low-fat diets

• B. It compares the effects of saturated and unsaturated fats.

• C. It describes the differences between fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

• D. It explains why a healthy diet needs both saturated and unsaturated fats.

5.) In paragraphs 2 through 4, the author intends to show how low-fat diets can lead to unhealthy food choices. Which sentence from the selection best supports this statement?

• A. "Fat, in addition to protein and carbohydrates, is a substance the human body needs to work properly."

• B. "These 'bad' fats can contribute to heart disease and other medical conditions."

• C. "As the low-fat craze caught on, food manufacturers started developing sorts of low-fat or fat-free foods."

• D. "Cutting out superfoods because they are high in fat deprives people of their nutritional value."

6.) Why does the author use the word empty in the following sentence?

"For example, jelly beans are low in fat, but they contain empty calories and few vitamins."

• A. to show that some low-fat diets provide little or no nutrition

• B. to explain why people choose to eat low-fat foods

• C. to provide examples of foods that contain healthy fats

• D. to explain which foods are most nutritious

7.) How does the sentence below impact the meaning of the selection?

"Superfoods are to human bodies as superheroes are to cities in danger."

• A. It illustrates one reason why food manufacturers developed low-fat and fat-free foods

• B. It explains to readers why the low-fat diet became popular so quickly.

• C. It helps readers to understand the important role of fatty foods like oils and nuts.

• D. It supports the claim that reducing saturated trans fats is important.

8.) Based on paragraph 4, what is the meaning of the word deprives?

• A. adds too much of something unhealthy

• B. causes the loss of unneeded weight

• C. results in something healthy being gained

• D. keeps away something that is needed

9.) How does the information in paragraph 5 help to develop the key concept of the selection?

• A. It explains why low-fat diets became popular over time.

• B. It provides information on the people who follow low-fat diets.

• C. It identifies the dietary restrictions people on low-fat diets face.

• D. It emphasizes the author's point that low-fat diets have few health benefits.

10.) Based on the sentence below, what does incorporate mean?

"Once people understand which fats are good, they can incorporate them into their diets in moderation."

• A. start adding

• B. discuss adding

• C. avoid adding

• D. research adding