Directions: Use Your Knowledge of the Reading-Writing Process to Answer

question 36

Multiple Choice

Directions: Use your knowledge of the reading-writing process to answer these questions about the following passage adapted from Hales, An Invitation to Health: Choosing to Change , Brief, 7^th ed., 2012, p. 8. ​ ​
Health Disparities
Despite great improvements in the overall health of the nation, Americans who are members of racial and ethnic groups-including black or African Americas, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, and Pacific Islanders-are more likely than whites to suffer poor health and die prematurely. There is a longevity gap between white and black women and between white and black men. Many factors, including genetic variations, environmental influences, and specific health behaviors, contribute to these disparities .
We live in the most diverse nation on Earth, one that is becoming increasingly diverse. For society, this variety can be both enriching and divisive. Tolerance and acceptance of others have always been part of the American creed. By working together, Americans have created a country that remains, to those outside our borders, a symbol of opportunity.
This racial diversity also means varying susceptibility to disease. However , in defining race as a risk factor for certain health conditions, classifications such as "black" or "Hispanic" may be overly broad. Among Hispanics, for instance, Puerto Ricans suffer disproportionately from asthma, HIV/AIDS, and high infant mortality, while Mexican Americans have higher rates for diabetes. If, like many Americans, you come from a racially mixed background, your health profile may be complex.
A synonym for tolerance that occurs later in the reading passage is: ​

• A)creed
• B)opportunity ​
• C)diversity
• D)acceptance

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Definitions:

Hormones

are chemical messengers secreted by glands in the body that regulate physiological functions and behavior.

Endocrine Function

The activity related to the secretion of hormones directly into the bloodstream by endocrine glands, which regulate various body processes including growth, metabolism, and mood.

Pancreas

A glandular organ located in the abdomen, which plays an essential role in digestion by producing enzymes and a key role in metabolism by producing insulin.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of stored glycogen into glucose in the liver.