6/17/22, 3:03 PM TEST 2, Semester 2, 2021/22

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6/17/22, 3:03 PM TEST 2, Semester 2, 2021/22

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Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
1.    We tend to think that children are picky eaters by default. They subsist on chicken nuggets, biscuits, and apple juice; they cry
at the sight of fruits and vegetables. But a new study suggests that such picky eating isn't the norm, and that it may even hint at
future mental health issues, in some cases. The study, published in the Journal of Paediatrics, argued that children who are
selective eaters are likelier to develop mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. While the connection between picky
eating and these conditions remains unclear, it’s suggested that individuals with these disorders face heightened sensory
experiences, which then contribute to increased sensitivities when eating.

2.    Conducted by researchers at Duke University, the study sought to analyse the relationship between picky eating and mental
health issues in children. Parents of about 3,400 pre-schoolers were asked to fill out questionnaires about their children's eating
habits, any signs of depression, anxiety, ADHD and other psychological disorders, as well as their sensitivity to sensory
experiences. To retain authenticity, they considered children’s universal eating habits (disliking cruciferous vegetables like
broccoli wasn’t counted as picky eating as they are universally disliked by children). Kids who only ate certain foods were
classified as having a "moderate level" of selective eating, whereas kids whose range of foods was so limited that it affected their
social lives were considered as having "severe" selective eating. This questionnaire was distributed to the same group of children
about two years later.

3.    The researcher’s hypothesis was proven. Results found that about 18% of the sample had at least moderate levels of
selective eating, and 3% were classified as severely selective eaters. Overall, more than 20% of children ages 2 to 6 were
selective eaters. When compared with their peers with no eating issues, the moderate and severe picky eaters showed more
symptoms of early onset depression, social anxiety, and generalised anxiety, both at the time of the survey and in the two-year
follow-up. Children with moderate picky eating did not show an increased likelihood of formal psychiatric diagnoses, but
children with severe selective eating were more than twice as likely to also have a diagnosis of depression at the time of the
study.
4.    Maria Pelchat, a psychologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia thinks that the connection lies deeper
than just sensory sensitivity. She believes that picky eating causes unpleasant mealtime quarrels, increases family discord, and
indirectly leads to anxiety and other mental health conditions in the long run. Besides that, it’s likely that kids with a predisposition
to anxiousness may have extra sensitivities to certain types of food. Humans have an adaptive tendency to avoid eating certain
types of food as they are historically associated with being poisonous or spoilt. For instance, some of the most common foods in
the "reject" pile had a slimy or gelatinous texture, or textural transitions (imagine bread with nuts in it, or tomatoes, which have
crunchy seeds, slimy insides, mealy flesh and tough skin). These are all textures that signal ‘danger’ in our brains. It could be that
these children have an intense fight or flight reaction(1) towards these suspicious foods.

5.    Paediatricians tend to shrug off parents' fears about children who gag at eggs or shove their cabbage off their plates, saying
it is just a phase that most kids will outgrow. The fact is, many don’t. Several studies have proven that there are a lot of adult picky
eaters out there, but because they have more control over what's on their plates than children do, they can conceal their food
likes and dislikes better, said Pelchat. Thus, this is no longer just a simple, childish problem. The study authors urge doctors and
parents to take picky eating seriously, because it could be a marker for future mental health issues. Parents should observe their
child’s eating habits and doctors should intervene when parents raise the issue.
6.    Currently, there is no definitive guide to ‘cure’ picky eating in children. However, there are some ways to help them curb this
habit. Pelchat advises against punishing, bribing, or catering to the child. Instead, get them involved in the kitchen. Preparing
food together and making this a fun, family activity could help picky eaters to reframe their experience with food. This method is
especially helpful for those with fears surrounding food. Being persistent is also key. Don’t give up on carrots after two attempts,
keep trying with different carrot menus until the child accepts it. Those with some room in their wallets could hire a nutritionist.
They can help determine whether it is a nutrient deficiency or a phase. A nutritionist would provide a meal plan that is nutrient
dense and offers variety, as well as clinically monitor the child’s progress. These methods might work for most picky eaters, but
not for children whose pickiness stems from sensory sensitivities. These children, who experience intense disgust toward certain
smells or flavours, would need a new form of treatment.

7.    Pelchat notes that there is no concrete evidence that working to overcome such picky eating on its own will help a child
with anxiety or depression. Mental illness is a complex disorder with a myriad of triggers- trauma, hormonal imbalance,
hereditary, or just pure occurrence. However, observing your child’s eating habits is an easy way for parents to monitor their
child’s wellbeing and could be helpful in preventing future complications.

Adapted from: www.livescience.com

 

(1) fight or flight reaction: a physiological response triggered when we feel a strong emotion like fear

Section I: Answer all the questions by either selecting an option or answering in the space given.

Time left
1:59:09

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6/17/22, 3:03 PM TEST 2, Semester 2, 2021/22

Question 1
Not yet answered

Marked out of 1.00

Which
ONE (1) of these words best replaces the word “shrug off”?
(Paragraph 5)        

a.
dislike

b. ignore

c.
shake

d. disapprove

Question 2
Not yet answered

Marked out of 1.00

What was the main aim of the Duke researchers’ study?                    

a.
To prove that picky eating isn’t a norm.

b. To study the relationship between 3,400 picky eating

pre-schoolers and anxiety.

c.
To study the relationship between heightened sensory
experiences and picky eating.

d. To study the connection between picky eating and mental

illness in children.

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Question 3
Not yet answered

Marked out of 1.00

What is the main idea of Paragraph 6?   

a.
The ways to help children become more involved in the
kitchen.

b. The ways to help children overcome picky eating.

c.
The researcher’s guide to help children love food.

d. There is no definitive guide to cure picky eaters.

Question 4

Not yet answered

Marked out of 1.00

The word ‘sample’ in

Paragraph 4 refers to the __________.

a.
Duke researchers

b. questionnaire

c.
parents

d. pre-schoolers

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Question 5
Not yet answered

Marked out of 2.00

Why is there no definitive guide to cure picky eating?

a.
Paediatricians don’t take picky eating seriously.

b. No one has written a guide about it yet.

c.
It requires different methods for different types of picky eaters.

d. It requires a new form of treatment.

Question 6

Not yet answered

Marked out of 2.00

Based on the article, which of these statements is TRUE about picky

eating

a.
Overcoming picky eating is an established way to prevent
future mental health issues.

b. Picky eaters can be cured by feeding them their favourite

food all the time.

c.
Picky eating could be due to a subconscious fear towards certain
tastes and textures.

d. Picky eating is a serious problem that is widely recognised

by doctors.

Question 7
Not yet answered

Marked out of 2.00

What does the phrase ‘many don’t’ (Paragraph 5) refer to?

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6/17/22, 3:03 PM TEST 2, Semester 2, 2021/22

Question 8
Not yet answered

Marked out of 2.00

According to Maria Pelchat, what are the TWO (2) possible links between picky
eating and mental illness?         

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Question 9
Not yet answered

Marked out of 3.00

List down the THREE (3) methods suggested to overcome picky eating.

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Information

Section II:

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6/17/22, 3:03 PM TEST 2, Semester 2, 2021/22

Question 10
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1.    For text 1, write ONE (1) topic sentence for the paragraph in the space provided.

Text 1

___________________________________________________________________. First, the bed is the biggest distraction, with its warm sheets
and soft cushions inviting us to sleep instead of focusing on our tasks. Next, our family could walk in and invite us to a chat or
cause loud noises. House chores could also become a distraction, especially for working moms who feel pressured to clean,
cook, and organise while working. Not to mention, our fridge. Snacking at home is a lot cheaper than buying snacks at the office
so we could waste time munching away. In short, working from home has more distractions that we’d like to admit.   

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Question 11
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Marked out of 2.00

2.    For text 2, write ONE (1) supporting sentence for the paragraph in the space provided.

Text 2
Climate change impacts human health in numerous ways. The first impact of climate change is increased respiratory diseases.
Increased temperatures due to climate change lead to increased ground-level ozone, which causes airway inflammation and
damages lung tissue.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall can increase the geographic spread of where insects like mosquitoes and ticks –
can survive and breed. Finally, heat-related illnesses are also caused by climate change. Extreme heat can cause symptoms
such as mild swelling, rashes, or cramps to potentially deadly heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Thus,  increasing the risk of
respiratory diseases, vector-borne diseases, and heat-related illness are just some of the affects humans must be prepared for if
climate change continues.  

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6/17/22, 3:03 PM TEST 2, Semester 2, 2021/22

Question 12
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Marked out of 2.00

Data retention summary

Get the mobile
3.    For textapp
3, write ONE (1) concluding sentence for the paragraph in the space provided.

Text 3

There are three main challenges that all professional athletes face. First, almost all athletes face immense pressure to succeed.
This is due to the competitive and perfectionist nature of sports. Athletes might face pressure from their coach, team, country, or
even family. Another major challenge is injury. As sports is physically demanding, athletes would have to face the risk of injury
throughout their career. Lastly, athletes do not have work-life balance. Their days are packed with training, working out, and
attending competitions that most find it extremely difficult to have a personal life or even start a family.
_____________________________________________________.

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