Read the Paragraph Below and Answer the Questions That Follow

question 20

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) Soda may be one of America's favorite beverages, but many experts now believe that drinking soda is bad for our health. (2) Because soda is high in calories but offers no nutritional value, it contributes to weight gain and obesity. (3) The sugar and acid in soda can cause unhealthy tooth decay. (4) Even sugar-free drinks may cause health problems because, as some studies have indicated, artificial sweeteners may increase the risk for cancer and other diseases. (5) Other research has shown that drinking soda is harmful to bones. (6) The phosphorus in soda causes bones to lose calcium. (7) As a result, they weaken and break more easily.
Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

• A) Sentence 1
• B) Sentence 2
• C) Sentence 3

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Definitions:

Concentration Gradient

The process by which the concentration of molecules moves from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, a fundamental principle in diffusion.

Dissolved Oxygen

The amount of oxygen present in water, crucial for the respiration of aquatic life and a key indicator of water quality.

Diaphragm

The diaphragm is a major muscle involved in respiration, separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and contracting to allow inhalation.

Forced Expiration

The act of expelling air out of the lungs with effort beyond normal exhalation, often used in respiratory tests.