Reading Passage 8

TOP HEALTHY FOODS AND FITNESS TERMS

The 2010s will go down in history as a decade of a renaissance of healthy trends across the globe. The decade saw the rise and fall of numerous health and fitness trends worldwide. Past ten years were all about fermented food to non-dairy milk alternatives and numerous path breaking discoveries in the medical world. But some health trends took over the world by storm and will have lasting effects on the coming generations. Here we have compiled a list of the top 8 health terms that gained wide popularity in the fitness world for its promising health benefits and something that is going to stay in the coming decade.

Gluten-free

The world witnessed the burgeoning popularity of gluten-free food products among men and women wanting to stay healthy and fit. Gluten is a protein found in most grains and as per some studies, following a gluten-free diet helps to manage the signs and symptoms of celiac disease and other medical conditions. The major source of this protein is wheat, barley and rye. Today, a plethora of gluten-free staples, frozen meals and snacks can be found in the supermarket that we even didn't know about years ago.

Detox

Detoxification or detox was a favorite buzzword this decade and as its popularity goes, it is here to stay for a while. A detox diet is an easy way to get rid of your body of toxins, which improves your health and promotes weight loss. The process of detoxification also includes making some small lifestyle tweaks.

[Source: Reader’s Digest]

1. What do you understand by ‘a renaissance of healthy trends’? 

a.) A new age of organic health products

b.) New methods of obesity control

c.) An age of new practices to keep healthy 

d.) An age of path-breaking discoveries

2. ‘But some health trends took over the world by storm.’ What does ‘took over the world by storm’ imply here?

a.) These health trends confused the masses

b.) The popularity of these health trends spread like fire

c.) These healthy trends became widely recognized and will remain so far for generations 

d.) Both b and c

3. What are the benefits of detoxification or detox process?

4. What is the importance of a healthy body to you?

Answers

Reading Passage 7

 

BREATHING EASY

CLEAR THE AIR OF INDOOR TOXICS

As the problem of air pollution reaches catastrophic proportions, each of us becomes an involuntary stakeholder. According to the latest report by the World Health Organization, over one lakh children below five years of age died in India due to both ambient and household air pollution in 2016. Here are some ways to keep yourself and your family safe.

There’s no good smoke

Limit the use of candles and agarbattis. Even if they are labelled as being herbal, studies have shown that they emit toxic gases and PM2.5. If you must use them, place them near windows.

Vacuum thoroughly

Firstly, clean your house regularly with a vacuum cleaner so that you get rid of dust more efficiently. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, invest in a cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter which will retain particles measuring 0.3 microns and larger, instead of blowing it back into the air.

Don’t take it to the cleaners

Perchloroethylene is a liquid solvent used to dry-clean clothes. It is a serious air pollutant and long-term exposure can even cause cancer. Avoid hanging your dry-cleaned clothes in the closet as soon as you get them home. Instead, air them outdoors for a day or two.

Air purifiers

Though affordable ones may not be as efficient as high-end air purifiers, they will still help bring down dust, PM levels and other pollutants. Make sure you invest in one that doesn’t emit formaldehyde and ozone as by-products, which further contribute to air pollution.

Ventilate

When running your air purifier, keep your windows and doors shut so that you don’t overuse the filter. However, an air purifier doesn’t produce oxygen or reduce carbon dioxide, whose level increases the longer you stay in a room. Hence, it’s important to ventilate your rooms so that you are not constantly breathing in exhaled air. Plus, it’s the only way to get rid of mould and fungi that thrive in closed, damp spaces.

[Based on the book How to Grow Fresh Air, by Kamal Meattle and Barun Aggarwal, published by Juggernaut in November 2018]

Source: Readers digest

1. What Does the author intend to convey through the above text? Choose the best option

a) Agarbathis and Candles do not pollute the air

b) Dry cleaning the clothes will prevent pollution

c) Vacuum cleaners can be dangerous

d) Clear the air of indoor toxics

2. According to the latest report presented by WHO, what are the causes for the death of over one lakh children in India?

3. The age group of the children mentioned in the WHO report is ……….

4. Fill in the blanks using the list of products and its effects in the table given below:

PRODUCT	EFFECT
i) Air Purifier	a)     Formal dehyde and Ozone
ii) Agarbathis and candles	b)      ………………………….
iii) Dry cleaners	c)     ………………………….
iv) Ventilators	d)     …………………………..

5.  The author says ‘As the problem of air pollution reaches catastrophic proportion, each of us becomes an involuntary stakeholder. In the light of the statement what measures will you take to keep yourself and your family safe? Mention any three measures.

ANSWERS