Which best states the central idea of this excerpt? It is always necessary to work with a partner when dealing with unidentified substances. Extreme precautions must be taken when dealing with potentially hazardous materials. Scientists are well known for being overly cautious and for taking unnecessary safety measures. It is standard procedure to wear both space suits and hearing protectors in laboratories.

The option that best states the central idea of this excerpt is: Extreme precautions must be taken when dealing with potentially hazardous materials.

In this passage from "The Hot Zone," we learn of the precautions that people wearing biohazard suits had to take.

They were to watch the hands of their partners, to be sure that they were not holding any sharp objects that could lead to harm.

Generally, the excerpt explains that people who handle potentially hazardous materials had to take some precautions.

Learn more about "The Hot Zone" here:

link

This question is missing the excerpt. I've found the complete question online. It is the following:

Read the excerpt from The Hot Zone.

There she met Lieutenant Colonel Trotter, a stocky, dark-haired man whom Nancy had worked with for many years. They put on their inner gloves and taped their cuffs. Nancy put a pair of hearing protectors over her ears. She had started wearing them a while back, when people had begun to suspect that the roar of air in your suit might be loud enough to damage your hearing. They hauled on their space suits and sealed the Ziploc zippers. They edged around each other as they fiddled with their suits. People wearing biohazard space suits tend to step around one another like two wrestlers at the beginning of a match, watching the other person's every move, especially watching the hands to make sure they don't hold a sharp object. This cringing becomes instinctive.

Which best states the central idea of this excerpt?

A.It is always necessary to work with a partner when dealing with unidentified substances.

B.Extreme precautions must be taken when dealing with potentially hazardous materials.

C.Scientists are well known for being overly cautious and for taking unnecessary safety measures.

D. It is standard procedure to wear both space suits and hearing protectors in laboratories.

The option that best states the central idea of this excerpt is:

B.Extreme precautions must be taken when dealing with potentially hazardous materials.

Explanation:

The excerpt reveals they are wearing biohazard suits, meaning they will be dealing with potentially hazardous materials. We know, not only from movies but also from real life disasters, that when people deal with hazardous materials, extreme precautions are taken to ensure everyone's safety. From the excerpt, we cannot assume it is always necessary to have a partner. It is unclear as to why they are working in pairs. The excerpt also does not criticize the safety measures, does not make it seem that scientists are overly cautious. Finally, the hearing protectors Nancy is wearing are a choice of hers. It is not a standard procedure to wear them. Taking all that into consideration, we can safely choose letter B as the correct choice.

- "the die is cast; i have consented to return if we are not destroyed. thus are my hopes blasted by cowardice and indecision; i come back ignorant and disappointed. it requires more philosophy than i possess to bear this injustice with patience. i have lost my hopes of utility and glory; i have lost my friend."

i believe the answer is d