Question

check for understanding: marshmallow madness!
directions: use the article \marshmallow madness!\ to answer the questions below.

1. marsh mallow plants produce a substance called mucilage. why was this substance useful in medicines made from the plants?

a it acts like a bandage for wounds.
b it kills harmful microbes.
c it contains important nutrients.
d it soothes inflamed tissue.

1. according to the article, why did candymakers eventually start using gelatin instead of plant syrup to make marshmallows?

a gelatin is extremely cheap while syrup from marsh mallow roots is expensive.
b using gelatin is faster than drying and boiling marsh mallow roots.
c gelatin is sweeter than plant syrup, so using it made the candy more popular.
d the plants became hard to find because too many people were harvesting them to make candy.

1. marshmallows today are machine whipped. how does that affect their properties?

a it whips in more air, leading to a lower density.
b it whips in less air, leading to a greater density.
c it prevents them from melting when theyre warmed.
d it helps them melt faster when theyre warmed.

1. what is collagen?

a a mineral that strengthens the bones of many animals
b a type of sugar
c a protein found in the connective tissue of animals
d a gel - like substance found in some plant roots

1. what is the purpose of coating marshmallows in corn starch?

a it makes the marshmallows sweeter.
b it prevents the marshmallows from sticking together.
c it keeps air trapped inside the marshmallows.
d it prevents the marshmallows from crystallizing.
take it further: if you enjoy marshmallows, which of their properties do you like? if you dont like them, which properties do you dislike?

Explanation:

Question 1

To answer this, we recall the properties of mucilage from marshmallow plants. Mucilage is known to have a soothing effect on inflamed tissues, which is useful in medicine. Option A is incorrect as it's not a bandage; B is incorrect as it doesn't kill microbes; C is incorrect as it's not for nutrients. So D is correct.

We analyze the options. Gelatin usage in marshmallows: The process of using marshmallow roots (drying, boiling) is time - consuming, while gelatin is faster. A is incorrect as "extremely cheap" is not the main reason; C is wrong as gelatin isn't sweeter for popularity; D is incorrect as plants weren't hard to find for that reason. So B is correct.

Machine - whipped marshmallows: Whipping in more air increases the volume and thus lowers the density (since density = mass/volume, more air means less mass per unit volume). B is wrong (less air would increase density, but machine whipping adds more air); C and D are incorrect as whipping doesn't affect melting in that way. So A is correct.

Answer:

D. It soothes inflamed tissue.

Question 2