High School

Which are the correct quantities for a standard drink?

1) 8 oz. of beer, 2 oz. of wine, or .25 oz. of liquor
2) 10 oz. of beer, 3 oz. of wine, or .5 oz. of liquor
3) 12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of liquor
4) 14 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 2 oz. of liquor

Answer :

A standard drink in the United States is typically defined by the amount of pure alcohol it contains. Understanding this is important for accurately gauging consumption levels and promoting responsible drinking.

Here's how a standard drink breaks down typically:

  1. Beer: A standard drink is generally 12 ounces of beer with about 5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

  2. Wine: A standard drink is usually about 5 ounces of wine with approximately 12% ABV.

  3. Liquor: A standard drink is typically 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or liquor (like vodka, whiskey, etc.) with about 40% ABV.

Among the provided options, option 3) "12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz. of liquor" most closely aligns with these standard definitions. However, note that the wine quantity is slightly lower than the typical standard (5 ounces), but it's closer than the others listed in the choices.

So, the correct quantities for a standard drink are best represented by option 3. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions about alcohol consumption and understanding how much pure alcohol is actually being consumed.