18. In context, where would the following sentence best be placed? Any given instance of this practice may seem trivial, but the amount of waste quickly adds up.
Answer: B
Any given instance of this practice may seem trivial, but the amount of waste quickly adds up.
This sentence fits best before sentence 4, as it emphasizes the cumulative effect of food waste, which is illustrated by the average family's loss of hundreds of dollars each year on uneaten food.
A) Before sentence 2
Placing the sentence here would interrupt the discussion about the initial stages of food waste during farming and processing. The focus of sentence 2 is on the early waste, and introducing the notion of triviality at this point would not align with the context of the discussion.
B) Before sentence 4
This position effectively highlights the impact of waste on consumer spending, reinforcing the idea that while individual instances of waste may appear minor, they accumulate to significant financial loss for families. It sets the stage for understanding the broader implications of food waste on household budgets.
C) Before sentence 7
Positioning the sentence before sentence 7 would shift the focus towards energy consumption in the distribution phase. While the cumulative nature of waste is relevant, it would not connect as directly to the financial implications stated in sentence 4.
D) Before sentence 13
This placement would suggest a connection to the efficiency of shopping and meal planning. However, it would detract from the financial context established in sentence 4, making it less effective in conveying the overall impact of food waste.
Conclusion
The correct placement of the sentence before sentence 4 underscores the significant cumulative effects of food waste on family finances, which is a key point in the extract. Other options fail to maintain the focus on the financial implications of waste or disrupt the flow of the argument regarding food waste's broader impact.