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Information and IdeasMediumMain idea of a nuanced passage

Information and Ideas practice question

The 'five-second rule' — the idea that food dropped on the floor is safe to eat if picked up quickly — has been tested many times. Bacteria transfer to food within milliseconds of contact, so the time spent on the floor matters far less than what the food and the floor are made of: wet foods dropped on tile pick up far more bacteria than dry foods dropped on carpet.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. Because bacteria transfer almost instantly, the surface and the food matter more than how long the food lies on the floor.Correct
  2. B. The five-second rule has been confirmed by testing.
  3. C. Carpet is a more dangerous surface than tile.
  4. D. Food that touches the floor is never safe to eat.

Answer: A. Because bacteria transfer almost instantly, the surface and the food matter more than how long the food lies on the floor.

The text dismisses time as the key factor (transfer takes milliseconds) and replaces it with two others: the food's wetness and the floor's material.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The five-second rule has been confirmed by testing.
The text undermines the rule rather than confirming it — time isn't what matters.
C. Carpet is a more dangerous surface than tile.
The text says the opposite: dry food on carpet picks up LESS than wet food on tile.
D. Food that touches the floor is never safe to eat.
The text ranks risks; it doesn't say all dropped food is unsafe.

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