Roughly one-half of the worlds population, including virtually all of

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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that roughly one-half of the world's population, a figure that includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Grammatical Construction + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• The “noun + as + noun” construction” is a correct idiomatic construction used to describe the role played by a noun.

A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the "noun ("rice") + to be + noun ("its staple food")" construction rather than the "noun + as + noun" construction to refer to the role played by "rice" as a "staple food"; please remember, the “noun + as + noun” construction” is a correct idiomatic construction used to describe the role played by a noun. Further, Option A redundantly uses "including" alongside "also"; this usage is redundant, as both terms convey a sense of inclusion.

B: Correct. This answer choice acts upon the independent noun phrase "one-half of the world's population" with the active verb "is" to form a complete thought, leading to a complete sentence. Further, Option B uses the phrase "including virtually all of East and Southeast Asia", conveying the intended meaning - that roughly one-half of the world's population, a figure that includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food. Additionally, Option B correctly uses the idiomatic construction "noun ("rice") + as + noun ("its staple food")" to refer to the role played by "rice" as a "staple food". Besides, Option B is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

C: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; as "wholly dependent...staple food" is a noun modifier phrase, there is no verb to act upon the subject "one-half of the world's population". Further, Option C alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "virtually all of East and Southeast Asia as well"; the omission of the word "including" incorrectly implies that roughly one-half of the world's population and all of East and Southeast Asia is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food; the intended meaning is that roughly one-half of the world's population, a figure that includes virtually all of East and Southeast Asia, is wholly dependent on rice as its staple food.

D: This answer choice fails to form a complete sentence; as "being wholly dependent...staple food" is a noun modifier phrase, there is no verb to act upon the subject "one-half of the world's population".

E: This answer choice incorrectly uses the "noun ("rice") + to be + noun ("its staple food")" construction rather than the "noun + as + noun" construction to refer to the role played by "rice" as a "staple food"; please remember, the “noun + as + noun” construction” is a correct idiomatic construction used to describe the role played by a noun. Further, Option E redundantly uses "includes" alongside "also"; this usage is redundant, as both terms convey a sense of inclusion.

Hence, B is the best answer choice.

All the best!
Experts' Global Team