The chart below shows the economic cost of two school lunches.
\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|}
\hline \multicolumn{3}{|c|}{Economic Cost per Lunch} \\
\hline & Current lunch & Healthier lunch \\
\hline Main course & $1.15 & $1.85 \\
\hline Side dish & $0.30 & $0.90 \\
\hline Dessert & $0.30 & $0.10 \\
\hline Beverage & $0.30 & $0.05 \\
\hline Total & $2.05 & $2.80 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
The side dish most likely costs much more in the healthier lunch because
A. it contains a larger portion than the current lunch.
B. it uses a substitute item that is more expensive.
C. it tastes better than the side dish in the current lunch.
D. it reduces childhood obesity in a more effective way.
Answer (2)
Analyze the cost differences between the current and healthier lunches.
Evaluate the given options based on the cost differences.
Determine the most plausible reason for the increased cost of the side dish in the healthier lunch.
Conclude that the side dish most likely costs more because it uses a substitute item that is more expensive.
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table comparing the economic costs of a current school lunch and a healthier school lunch. We need to determine the most likely reason why the side dish in the healthier lunch costs more than the side dish in the current lunch.
Analyzing Cost Differences Let's analyze the cost differences between the two lunches:
Main course: Healthier lunch costs $1.85 - $1.15 = $0.70 more. - Side dish: Healthier lunch costs $0.90 - $0.30 = $0.60 more.
Dessert: Healthier lunch costs $0.10 - $0.30 = $0.20 less. - Beverage: Healthier lunch costs $0.05 - $0.30 = $0.25 less.
Evaluating the Options Now let's evaluate the given options:
Option 1: It contains a larger portion than the current lunch. This is a plausible reason for the increased cost.
Option 2: It uses a substitute item that is more expensive. This is also a plausible reason.
Option 3: It tastes better than the side dish in the current lunch. Taste is subjective and doesn't directly relate to cost.
Option 4: It reduces childhood obesity in a more effective way. This is a benefit, not a direct cause of increased cost.
Determining the Most Likely Reason Comparing options 1 and 2, both are plausible. However, since we are looking for the most likely reason, let's consider the context of a 'healthier' lunch. A healthier side dish is more likely to involve more expensive ingredients or a larger portion of nutritious items (like vegetables or fruits) than simply tasting better or directly focusing on obesity reduction. Therefore, both a larger portion and more expensive ingredients are possible, but the question is which is most likely.
Final Answer Considering the options, the most likely reason is that the healthier side dish either contains a larger portion or uses more expensive ingredients. Without additional information, it's hard to definitively choose between these two. However, since the question asks for the most likely reason, and healthier options often involve more nutritious (and thus potentially more expensive) ingredients, we can lean towards the substitute item being more expensive.
Conclusion The side dish most likely costs more in the healthier lunch because it uses a substitute item that is more expensive.
Examples
Understanding the cost differences in meal planning, like in school lunches, helps in making informed decisions about budgeting and nutrition. For example, if you're planning a party and want to offer healthier snack options, knowing that fresh fruits or organic vegetables might increase the cost can help you adjust quantities or find cost-effective alternatives. This kind of analysis is also useful in personal grocery shopping, where comparing the prices of different brands or types of ingredients can lead to both healthier choices and better savings.
The healthier lunch's side dish costs more because it likely uses substitute items that are more expensive. This aligns with common trends in healthier food options, which often incorporate higher-quality ingredients. The chosen option is B: it uses a substitute item that is more expensive.
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