¡¡¡¡Passage Two

¡¡¡¡The United States Department of Agriculture requires that a grade mark be used when labeling eggs. It is printed on the carton or on a tape used to seal the carton. It shows both the grade and the size of the eggs. Sometimes the size is not printed in the grade mark but it is printed on the carton.

¡¡¡¡There are three grades of eggs. The top grade is U.S. Grade AA, or Fresh Fancy Quality. The next is U.S. Grade A. Grade B is the lowest grade. Some stores sell all three grades, and there may be quite a difference in price between the grades. The top two grades, AA and A, are best for frying and boiling. They don¡¯t spread out very much in the pan, and the yolk is not easily broken. Grade B eggs are just as good to eat. But the whites are thinner. Also, the yolk may be flatter than in eggs of the higher grades. In most states, egg marked with a grade and size must meet certain state laws. Many states¡¯ grade standards are the same as those of the U. S government.

¡¡¡¡Eggs come in different sizes. But the size has nothing to do with the quality. The two decisions you must make when buying eggs are to choose the grade and the size. Eggs range in size from Jumbo to Pee Wee, and they are measured by their weight. A dozen Jumbo eggs must weigh a minimum of 30 ounces. A dozen Pee Wee eggs only needs to weigh 15 ounces. Smaller eggs sell for less than bigger eggs because you buy them by weight just as you do other foods.

¡¡¡¡A buyer should watch for bargains in these smallerª²sized eggs in late summer and fall when they¡¯re plentiful. If a person makes it a habit to check the price difference between sizes, then it will be easy to spot the bargains when they¡¯re available. Comparison shopping will get you the most eggs for the least money!

¡¡¡¡6. Which Federal Department requires grade marks on eggs?

¡¡¡¡A. Commerce B. Industry

¡¡¡¡C. Interior D. Agriculture

¡¡¡¡7. Grade marks indicate ______.

¡¡¡¡A. size and quality B. color and texture

¡¡¡¡C. price and shape D. weight and size

¡¡¡¡8. When eggs are labeled Pee Wee, we know that ______.

¡¡¡¡A. these eggs are very firm B. these eggs would be smaller than Jumbo

¡¡¡¡C. the price for these eggs should be high D. everyone couldn¡¯t buy these eggs

¡¡¡¡9. U.S.Grade A eggs ______.

¡¡¡¡A. have firm yolks B. are often smaller than other grades

¡¡¡¡C. have flatter yolks D. have thinner shells

¡¡¡¡10. We can conclude that ______.

¡¡¡¡A. supermarkets offer the lowest egg prices

¡¡¡¡B. size does not necessarily indicate quality

¡¡¡¡C. there is little difference among the three grades

¡¡¡¡D. Grade B eggs are not as delicious as Grade A eggs