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Read the passage from Sugar Changed the World.

Traditionally, English workers had brewed their own beer, which they drank along with bread, their other major source of food. A Scottish writer of the late 1700s noticed that tea had "become an economical substitute to the middle and lower classes of society for malt liquor," which they could no longer afford. "Tea," which had to be transported from Asia, and "sugar brought from the West Indies . . . compose a drink cheaper than beer." The new drink soon became not only cheap but necessary.

Why did the English, in particular, need a low-cost, filling hot drink? In a word: factories. England was the first country in the world to shift from making most of its money in traditional places, such as farms, mines, or small shops, to factories. In the early 1800s the English figured out how to build machines to weave cloth, and how to organize workers so that they could run the machines. Factory workers needed to leave their homes to go to work—they were not on farms where they could grow their own food, nor were they in shops where they could stop when they wanted to have a snack. Instead, they worked together in long shifts, taking breaks when allowed. Factory workers needed cheap food that was easy to transport and that gave them the energy to last until the next break.

All over England, in sooty cities such as Manchester and Liverpool, when the factory whistle blew, workers would set down their presses and file out to drink a quick cup of tea sweetened with sugar—usually dipping a piece of bread in the warm drink. Soon a smart manufacturer figured out that this break, and the need for a jolt of sweetness, was an opportunity. English workers were offered sugary cookies and candies—what we call today energy bars—that quick pick-me-up that helped workers to make it through their long shifts.

Starting around 1800, sugar became the staple food that allowed the English factories—the most advanced economies in the world—to run. Sugar supplied the energy, the hint of nutrition, the sweet taste to go with the warmth of tea that even the poorest factory worker could look forward to. Sugar was a necessity.

Which text evidence best supports the authors' claim that sugar became an essential source of energy to English workers in the 1800s?

"Traditionally, English workers had brewed their own beer, which they drank along with bread, their other major source of food."
"England was the first country in the world to shift from making most of its money in traditional places, such as farms, mines, or small shops, to factories."
"Starting around 1800, sugar became the staple food that allowed the English factories—the most advanced economies in the world—to run."
"Sugar supplied the energy, the hint of nutrition, the sweet taste to go with the warmth of tea that even the poorest factory worker could look forward to."

User Dmoney
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2 Answers

6 votes

Answer: Option D

Step-by-step explanation:

User Gareth
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6 votes

Answer: I'd say D, "Sugar supplied the energy, the hint of nutrition, the sweet taste to go with the warmth of tea that even the poorest factory worker could look forward to," is your answer.

Step-by-step explanation: The direct quotes:

"Tea had 'become an economical substitute to the middle and lower classes of society for malt liquor,'"

"The new drink soon became not only cheap but necessary,"

"Why did the English, in particular, need a low-cost, filling hot drink? In a word: factories,"

"Factory workers needed cheap food that was easy to transport and that gave them the energy to last until the next break, "

"English workers were offered sugary cookies and candies—what we call today energy bars—that quick pick-me-up that helped workers to make it through their long shifts,"

"Sugar supplied the energy...Sugar was a necessity,"

all suggest that sugar (and tea) were necessary to stay energized during the long, factory work day in the 1800s in England. So your best option is choice D.

User Andy Miller
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