Question

The passage warns that the United States is facing major health epidemics, including each of the following EXCEPT (A) obesity. (B) AIDS. (C) lack of exercise. (D) prediabetes.

Short answer

The correct answer is (B) AIDS, as it is not mentioned as a major health epidemic in the United States in the passage.

Step-by-step solution

Read the options

We have four options given to consider: (A) obesity (B) AIDS (C) lack of exercise (D) prediabetes

Analyze the passage

The passage states that the United States is facing major health epidemics. We need to find which of the options is not included among those epidemics.

Process of elimination

Go through the passage and eliminate the options that are mentioned as major health epidemics in the United States. The passage states that the health epidemics include: - obesity → Eliminate option (A) - lack of exercise → Eliminate option (C) - prediabetes → Eliminate option (D)

Identify the unmentioned option

Since we have eliminated options (A), (C), and (D), we are left with option (B) - AIDS. This means AIDS is not mentioned as a major health epidemic in the United States in the passage.

Conclusion

The correct answer is (B) AIDS, as it is not mentioned as a major health epidemic in the United States in the passage.

Key concepts

Health Epidemics

Understanding health epidemics is crucial, especially when considering the array of challenges they present to public health. An epidemic is an outbreak of a disease that spreads rapidly and affects a significant number of individuals within a population, community, or region. In the case of the United States, as reflected in the GED practice question, obesity, lack of exercise, and prediabetes are highlighted as major health concerns.

These conditions are not only common in the U.S. but also contribute to the overall burden of chronic diseases, which are the leading causes of death and disability. Obesity is linked to a variety of health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Lack of exercise can exacerbate these problems and is often associated with poor overall health. Prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes, can lead to type 2 diabetes if not managed properly.

It's essential to be aware of these epidemics as they can often be prevented or managed with lifestyle changes such as improved nutrition, regular physical activity, and medical interventions when necessary. Public awareness and education on these topics can lead to healthier communities and a reduction in the impact of these epidemics.

Critical Reading Skills

Developing critical reading skills is vital both in educational settings and in everyday life. These skills enable you to understand and evaluate what you read and to discern fact from opinion. In the context of GED practice questions, critical reading is the key to comprehending complex texts and extracting pertinent information.

When faced with a passage, actively engaging by asking questions, annotating the text, and summarizing information can enhance comprehension. It's important to recognize the main idea, supporting details, and the author's purpose. Additionally, distinguishing between literal and inferential information helps readers understand the explicit content and recognize the implied meanings.

Improving your critical reading skills involves practicing reading diverse materials, reflecting on your understanding, and discussing your insights with others. This not only aids in academic success but also in making informed decisions based on reliable information encountered in the media, online, or in personal communications.

Process of Elimination

The process of elimination is a systematic method of excluding options to arrive at the correct choice. It is a powerful problem-solving strategy, particularly in multiple-choice questions like those found on the GED test.

Here's how it typically works: First, review all given options carefully. Next, discount the ones that you know are incorrect based on your knowledge or information from the question prompt. Eliminating these choices reduces the pool of possible answers and increases your chance of selecting the correct one.

It can be helpful to approach the process of elimination with a critical eye, questioning each option's validity in the context of the question. In some cases, clues within the question or your prior knowledge can assist you in weeding out the obvious wrong choices. Remaining calm and methodical in your approach can simplify complex questions and lead you to the right answer more efficiently. As with any skill, the more you practice the process of elimination, the more proficient you'll become.