Read each of the following passages and respond to the questions that follow by choosing the letter of the correct answer.

Question

Dietary fiber is the nondigestible form of complex carbohydrates occurring naturally in plant foods, such as leaves, stems, skins, seeds, and hulls, Functional fiber consists of isolated, nondigestible carbohydrates that may be added to foods and that provide beneficial effects in humans. Total fiber is the sum of both. The various forms of fiber enhance health in different ways: They slow the emptying of the stomach, which creates a feeling of fullness and aids weight control. They interfere with absorption of dietary fat and cholesterol, which lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke in both middle-aged and elderly individuals. In addition, fiber helps prevent constipation, diverticulosis (a painful inflammation of the bowel), and diabetes. The link between fiber and colon cancer is complex. Some studies have indicated that increased fiber intake reduces risk; others found no such correlation.
The Institute of Medicine has set recommendations for daily intake levels of total fiber (dietary plus
functional fiber): 38 grams of total fiber for men and 25 grams for women. For men and women over 50 years of age, who consume less food, the recommendations are, respectively, 30 and 21 grams. The American Dietetic Association recommends 25 to 35 grams of dietary fiber a day, much more than the amount Americans typically consume.
Good fiber sources include wheat and corn bran (the outer layer); leafy greens; the skins of fruits and root vegetables; oats, beans, and barley; and the pulp, skin, and seeds of many vegetables and fruits, such as apples and strawberries. Because sudden increases in fiber can cause symptoms like bloating and gas, experts recommend gradually adding more fiber to your diet with an additional serving or two of vegetables, fruit, or whole-wheat bread.

The major purpose of this passage is to
a. inform the reader about the ways that fiber is beneficial to one’s health..
b. persuade readers that fiber prevents colon cancer.
c. entertain readers with a story about fiber.

Answer 1

a. inform the reader about the ways that fiber is beneficial to one’s health..