D.O.C. A Salty History

Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

A Salty History

Did you know that salt is a mineral that forms in the ground? The salt that is removed from salt mines is a rock called “halite.” You are really sprinkling tiny rocks on your food when you use a salt shaker. You can also get salt from seawater. The ocean’s salt is very pure. Many people think it tastes better than table salt. Mmmm. Which salt do you prefer?
Do we need salt? Yes, we do. Our cells need salt to stay alive. As a matter of fact, salt makes up nearly one percent of our body’s blood and cells. Salt is used to preserve foods because it kills germs. Salt is also used to make glass, soap, and other items. One kind of salt is used in popular ice-cream machine.
Poland’s famous salt mines are very unusual. For hundreds of years, miners have dug salt from beneath the Earth’s surface. They have carved elegant rooms and beautiful statues from solid salt. Curious tourists visit to see the miner’s statues. Wow! Would you like to see them?
Across the ages and around the world, salt has been valued very highly. It was important and hard to obtain. If you had salt, you could easily trade it for other items. The ancient Roman soldiers’ wages were paid in salt. Their word for “salt” was “sal.” That is where our word “salary” comes from. Gee, would you like to get paid in salt? In many places, salt is still a symbol of friendship.

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