Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 59%

Glass
I wonder who first discovered glass. This commodity has been a part of civilization from the very beginning. Imagine a world without glass! How dark and dismal it would be. No windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, sparkly drinking containers or mirrors. Life would not be the same without this wonderful discovery. Thank you, whoever found glass!
Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. It is a hard, brittle, transparent solid material composed mainly of silica, with additives to change the character of the glass. Common additives are soda, lime, lead, and boron. Each additive changes the properties of the final product. Soda and lime are the most common additives, accounting for about 90% of glass production. Adding lead increases reflectivity, causing the glass to "sparkle." The addition of boron changes the thermal and electrical properties of glass, allowing cookware that can be used in the oven without shattering.

What conclusion can be drawn from the article?

Rationale

Glass is an essential part of our lives.

The passage emphasizes the indispensable role of glass in modern civilization by highlighting its various applications such as windows, lenses, telescopes, and more. It underscores how life would be significantly different without glass, illustrating its importance and ubiquity in everyday life.

A (Glass is an essential part of our lives.) CORRECT

The passage vividly describes numerous applications of glass that enhance our daily living, indicating its essential nature. From facilitating vision through corrective lenses to enabling scientific exploration through telescopes and microscopes, glass plays a critical role in multiple domains.

B (Glass is rarely utilized in everyday items.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice contradicts the passage, which lists numerous everyday items that rely on glass, such as windows, cameras, and drinking containers. These examples illustrate how extensively glass is used, making it far from a rare commodity.

C (Glass production is harmful to the environment.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not address environmental impacts associated with glass production. Instead, it focuses on the composition, variety, and utility of glass, omitting any discussion of environmental concerns.

D (Glass technology is outdated and ineffective.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage presents glass as a valuable and versatile material, highlighting its continued relevance through the mention of modern uses and innovations, such as heat-resistant cookware. There is no suggestion that glass technology is outdated or ineffective.

Conclusion

The passage clearly articulates the significance of glass in enhancing various aspects of life, from practical uses like windows to advanced scientific instruments. It underscores glass's integral role in civilization, thus supporting the conclusion that glass is essential to our lives. The incorrect options are not supported by the passage content, which celebrates glass's versatility and widespread application.

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