The following text is from a health article.
Proper hydration is essential for athletic performance. Dehydration can reduce endurance by up to 25% and impair decision-making abilities. Athletes should drink water before, during, and after exercise. For activities lasting more than an hour, sports drinks containing electrolytes may be beneficial.
Which choice best describes the function of the third sentence?
It questions the importance of hydration for athletes.
It provides statistical evidence about dehydration.
It offers practical guidance based on the information presented.
It introduces a new topic unrelated to hydration.
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The third sentence gives practical advice (when to drink water) based on the preceding information about hydration's importance.
- Evidence: The sentence states: "Athletes should drink water before, during, and after exercise."
- Reasoning: This is a direct recommendation or guideline for action.
- Conclusion: The function is to offer practical guidance.
💡 Strategy: Identify the tone: "Should drink" indicates advice or guidance.
Choice A is incorrect because it supports, not questions, hydration importance. Choice B is incorrect because statistics are in the second sentence. Choice D is incorrect because it continues the hydration topic.