Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 56%

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 statement is a fact stated in the article?

Rationale

Glass isn't an element, but a combination of several elements.

The passage explicitly states that glass is not a single element but a mixture of several, primarily composed of silica with various additives like soda, lime, lead, and boron. This fact highlights the complex composition of glass, distinguishing it from simple elements.

A (Glass isn't an element, but a combination of several elements.) CORRECT

This statement accurately reflects information from the passage, which describes glass as a composite material consisting mainly of silica and various additives. This composition differentiates glass from elemental substances, supporting its wide range of applications due to different additive properties.

B (Glass is the most important material in modern technology.) YOUR ANSWER

While the passage discusses the versatility and importance of glass, it does not claim that glass is the "most important" material in modern technology. It highlights glass's historical and practical significance without making such a definitive statement.

C (Glass can only be used in decorative items.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage mentions several uses for glass, including windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, and cookware. This variety indicates that glass has numerous practical applications beyond decorative uses, contradicting the statement in option C.

D (Glass is naturally occurring and needs no processing.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not claim glass is naturally occurring or that it requires no processing. On the contrary, it describes additives used in glass production, indicating a manufacturing process is involved to achieve its various properties.

Conclusion

The passage provides detailed information about the composition and uses of glass, making it clear that glass is a combination of several elements. The correct statement from the article is that glass isn't an element, but a mixture, which allows it to have diverse applications. Other choices either misinterpret or exaggerate the information provided in the passage.

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