Since sugar is such a big part of the food we eat, people may wonder if some types of sugar are better for us than others. Let’s look at the similarities and differences among some common sweeteners to find out.
★White Sugar
White sugar is also called table sugar because it’s often on tables at homes and restaurants. It typically comes from sugar cane or beets. Because it goes through the most processing, it has the least nutritional value of all the sugars we consume. As it is being refined, the sugar loses its minerals along with any natural color it had. During the refining process, thick, brown, syrupy liquid known as molasses is produced.
★Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is essentially white sugar with some of the molasses added back in. Although the molasses contains some nutrients, the amount added is not enough to be of much benefit to people.
★Black Sugar
Some people believe black sugar, which originated in Okinawa, Japan, is more nutritious than brown sugar. With black sugar, sugar cane is boiled until it turns into a dark syrup, which is then cooled and formed into solid chunks. Thus, black sugar keeps its molasses content.
★Honey
Honey is another common type of sweetener that people use, with many believing it is the healthiest option because it comes from bees and is therefore more natural. There is truth to that belief, but despite having more nutritional value, too much honey can still be harmful to one’s health. The main point seems to be that people should control their intake of sugar as much as possible.
1. What is the Day 1 passage mainly about?
(A) The advantages and disadvantages of eating sugar.
(B) The reasons why people enjoy consuming sugar.
(C) The various types of sugar people commonly eat.
(D) Why people like some sugars more than others.
2. According to the passage, what is the connection between sugar and our evolutionary past?
(A) People who ate less sugar were healthier.
(B) Sugar helped people live longer and have more kids.
(C) Societies with more sugar were more powerful.
(D) Sugar was more natural and therefore tastier.
3. What is molasses?
(A) A popular type of sugar sold in stores.
(B) Sugar that is made in Okinawa, Japan.
(C) A product resulting from the manufacturing of white sugar.
(D) Minerals taken out of sugar cane during the process of making sugar.
4. Please look at a student’s notes about sugar below. Which of the comparisons is NOT true, according to the Day 2 passage?
The Comparisons of Various Sweeteners
(A)
White sugar is the least healthy of all sugar.
(B)
Eating excessive amounts of honey can harm one’s health.
(C)
Honey is considered to be more nutritious than other sugars.
(D)
Brown sugar is thought to be more nutritious than black sugar.
