501 Critical Reading Questions

a.
ecstatic reverence.
b.
genuine admiration.
c.
tepid approval.
d.
courteous opposition.
e.
antagonistic incredulity.
Questions 176–179 are based on the following passage.
The following passage discusses the findings of several recent health surveys
investigating the physical activity level of American adolescents.
Almost 50% of American teens are not vigorously active on a regular
basis, contributing to a trend of sluggishness among Americans of all
ages, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Ado-
lescent  female  students  are  particularly  inactive—29%  are  inactive
compared with 15% of male students. Unfortunately, the sedentary
habits  of  young  “couch  potatoes”  often  continue  into  adulthood.
According to the Surgeon General’s 1996 Report on Physical Activ-
ity and Health, Americans become increasingly less active with each
year of age. Inactivity can be a serious health risk factor, setting the
stage for obesity and associated chronic illnesses like heart disease or
diabetes. The benefits of exercise include building bone, muscle, and
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