CBSE Board Class 12 English Un-Solved Passages
Chapter – 5 Reading Comprehension V (Case based Factual Passages)
Read the following passage carefully:
1. Changes in portion sizes, energy contents and nutrient profiles of fast foods over the last 30 years show how these have led to lifestyle diseases.
2. Till now, research has revolved around trans-fat, high intake of sugars and salt leading to cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, etc. However, according to a study, by Boston University and Tufts University, comparison between the portion size and calurie intake from fast food, between 1986 and 2016, shows a drastic increase in all the parameters.
3. However, there has been an increase in levels of calcium and iron, especially in desserts, according o the study that looked at fast food brands like, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen and KFC. On average per to decade, the daily value of calcium increased by 3.9 per cent in desserts and the daily value of iron increased 1.4 per cent.
4. Even though this rise could be good for treating anemia and calcium deficiency, “people should not be consuming fast food to get more calcium and iron in their diet because of the high calories and sodium that come along with it,” Megan McCrory, lead author of the study, was quoted as saying in a report
5. The report analyzed 1,787 menu items and grouped the items into-entrées, sides, and desserts. It notes that while entrées gained an average of 30 calories per decade, sides did not increase much in O calories but became saltier.
6. It assumes importance as nearly 36 per cent of adults in the US consume fast food. “Between 1986 and 2016, the number of items offered on restaurant menus grew a staggering 226 per cent, an average of 22.9 items per year. Along with the menu expansions, researchers found that portion sizes and calories had increased as well,” McCrory was quoted as saying.
7. In India, increase in disposable income has in turn increased the frequency of dinning out. Big fast food chains like McDonald’s came to India in 1996, and soon other big outlets like Dominos, Pizza Hut, KFC, etc., followed suit, according to a study by AIIMS, Bangalore.
8. According to another report, Indian fast-food market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18 per cent by 2020 due to changing consumer behavior and demography. This indicates that India is sailing in the same boat as US when it comes to fast food consumption The latest findings should be taken as a benchmark and, we should work towards cutting down fast food consumption in order to lead a healthy life.
A. On the basis of your understanding of the passage answer the questions given below by choosing one of the options that follow:
(i) The cause for alarm is that:
(a) fast food is bad for health.
(b) fast food consumption is increasing by leaps and bounds.
(c) fast food items on offer are on the increase from year to year.
(d) All of the above
(ii) Traditionally fast foods attracted research attention for:
(a) eating out
(b) convenience
(c) trans-fats and high sugar and salt intake
(d) None of these
(ii) In spite of the increased presence of iron and calcium, fast foods are harmful because of:
(a) sodium
(b) high calories
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither
(iv) The only category of respondents whose (a) I don’t eat at fast food restaurants:
(a) one to three times a week
(b) less than once per week
(c) prefer not to say
(d) I don’t eat at fast food restaurants
(v) From the graph it transpires that during 2016 to 2018:
(a) fast food consumption is on the increase on a large scale.
(b) fast food consumption is on the increase, though marginally
(c) fast food consumption is decreasing. workers,
(d) fast food is more popular among the youth and white-collar
B. Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What are the prominent lifestyle ailments?
(ii) What does iron intake helps to treat?
(iii) In which year the number of Indians not visiting fast food restaurants were the highest?
(iv) Why is India said to follow the example of US in respect of fast-food consumption?
(v) Where did the new areas of investigation focus on?
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