No Ordinary Lace
What is the meaning of the word frenetic in paragraph 1?
relaxed
active
fragile
clumsy
How many paragraphs are in the article?
7
Write the defense for Lace #2
Teacher discretion, but connecting to "rapidly maneuvers", "fingers have worked these bobbins", "movements" is a plus.
How many paragraphs are in the excerpt?
45!
Muzhik #20
What does pabulum mean in the sentences below from paragraphs 23 and 24?
“The human pabulum in its original form flies, swims, and grows on trees. Who would have thought it your Excellency?” said the one Official.
“To be sure,” rejoined the other Official. “I, too, must admit that I had imagined that our breakfast rolls came into the world just as they appear on the table.”
body
food
enemy
medicine
Brazilian Lace #6
How does the author advance her purpose in the sentences below from paragraph 5?
“If you want to see lacemakers in action, take a day trip to the seaside towns of Iguape or Prainha, both of which boast lacemaking centers where you can watch women and girls making lace. Ask the lacemakers to indicate which patterns are most traditional, as each town is known for its own patterns.”
She encourages everyone to visit Iguape and Prainha to see the authentic lacemakers.
She makes convincing statements about the higher cost of lacemaking in Iguape and Prainha.
She provides information about the historical role Iguape and Prainha played in creating the art of lacemaking.
She shares her feelings about the lacemaking practices in Iguape and Prainha that take advantage of women and girls.
Brazilian Lace #4
What is the meaning of laborious based on the sentences below from paragraphs 1 and 2?
easily performed
extremely dull
excessively difficult
quickly finished
Write the defense for Muzhik #20
Teacher discretion, but "breakfast rolls came into the world just as they appear on the table" should connect in there somewhere
Muzhik #16
Which quote from the text supports the development of the theme?
“But the Department was abolished, and as the services of the two Officials were no longer needed, they were given their freedom.”
“They looked at each other, and each noticed that the other was clad in nothing but his night shirt with his badge hanging around his neck.”
“ ‘To be sure,’ rejoined the other Official. ‘I, too, must admit that I had imagined that our breakfast rolls came into the world just as they appear on the table.’ ”
“In their glances gleamed an evil-boding fire, their teeth chattered and a dull groaning issued from their chests.”
Muzhik #17
Why does the author include the quote “With assurances of the highest esteem, I am your humble servant” in paragraph 2?
to emphasize the theme, because the men serve one another food while on the island
to establish the setting, because the men have to work as servants for a certain amount of time
to highlight the characters, because each man desires to help the other get back home
to create irony, because the men are unable to do any physical labor to survive
Brazilian Lace #7
How does the art of making lace represent Brazilian cultural heritage?
Portuguese colonists were developing the lacemaking market in Brazil during the seventeenth century.
Lacemaking is directly related to the daily tasks performed in the seaside colonies of Brazil.
Lace is considered a luxurious fashion accessory in Brazil.
Lace has a religious significance to the people of Brazil.
Brazilian Lace #5
How was the art of lacemaking in the New World viewed differently than it was viewed in Europe in the seventeenth century?
Lacemaking was viewed as an everyday task in the New World; in Europe, lace was seen as a luxurious fashion accessory.
Lacemaking was seen as a luxury that pioneers could not afford in the New World; in Europe, lace was found on common accessories.
Lacemaking was seen as strictly women’s work in the New World; in Europe, it was seen as a proper way to make a living for both men and women.
Lacemaking was seen as an art form for only the upper class in the New World; in Europe, all classes of people wore and produced lace.
Using a quote from the text, prove the answer for Lace #5. You only have to write the quote. Explanation may be verbal.
"While their European ancestors considered lace a luxurious fashion accessory, in the New World, the craft seemed a natural extension of more mundane trades that were already vital to the seaside culture: the making of baskets, hats, hammocks, and fishing nets." Paragraph 2
Muzhik #19
What can be inferred from the fact that both Officials returned “with empty hands” in paragraphs 16–21?
They did not have the necessary skills to obtain anything to eat.
The wild animals and fruit they saw were imaginary.
They did not want to share a meal with each other.
They were unable to locate any food.
Muzhik #18
Based on paragraphs 4–9, what causes the Officials to realize the events are not a dream?
They do not wake up early.
Their department is no longer open.
Their hunger is very extreme and painful.
They are experiencing the same things together.
Brazilian Lace #3
How is paragraph 1 significant to the author’s claims?
It sets the tone for the rest of the text by explaining the origins of lacemaking.
It emphasizes the lacemaker’s ability to create a wonderful product to sell to people.
It describes the beauty of the art designs used in lacemaking.
It expresses the level of difficulty involved in lacemaking.
Brazilian Lace #8
Which statement from the text supports the author’s claim that making lace is laborious?
“Lace can be produced either with a needle and thread (needle lace) or by interweaving threads wound on bobbins.”
“As many as 50 bobbins, each holding an individual thread, might be used to work a single pattern.”
“Ask the lacemakers to indicate which patterns are most traditional, as each town is known for its own patterns.”
“You can pick up small items like napkins for around seven to 15 Brazilian reals (just a few dollars).”
Provide reasoning to defend the answer to Muzhik #17
Teacher discretion...
Muzhik #21
What can be inferred from the last sentence of paragraph 45 in the text?
The Officials are bewildered and in a dream-like state.
The island where the Officials are located is close to Moscow.
The island had previously been inhabited by another group of Officials.
The Officials are still preoccupied with activities happening in the government.
Muzhik #22
How does referring to the men as “Officials” and “Your Excellency” develop the theme of the text?
It provides a description of the two men that is comical since neither still works in the Government Department.
It reveals that the two men are greatly respected by their former coworkers at the Government Department.
It shows how the two men are wealthy even though they have retired from their jobs at the Government Department.
It gives an explanation for why the two men left their jobs at the Government Department because both are secretly royalty.
Brazilian Lace #1
Which central idea develops over the course of the text?
“The lacemaker’s wrinkled hands are surprisingly agile. This seventy-something lady in Prainha, on the northeastern coast of Brazil, rapidly maneuvers two dozen wooden bobbins, which make a pleasant clicking sound as she works.”
“Early colonists made lace to pass the time and supplement their families’ income, making doilies, collars, and tablecloths out of white and colored linen threads.”
“Several factors can influence the price of a lace piece, including the type of thread used (cotton, silk, or other materials), the intricacy of the design, and the size, which is a measure of the time it takes to complete it.”
“Whether watching lacemakers at work in the market, at a lace center, or in the shade of their own doorways, it’s a pleasure to witness the production of such delicate finery, inch by inch.”
Brazilian Lace #9
How does the author order events to develop her points?
She details the various aspects of the lacemaking process.
She compares and contrasts the different methods of lacemaking.
She discusses the historical causes of lacemaking and its great impact.
She states an opinion about lacemaking in Brazil without evidence to support it.
Teacher discretion!
How does the text reflect the author’s cultural experience?
It draws attention to the problem of world hunger.
It encourages people to retire from service as soon as possible.
It mocks people who are too attached to their government jobs.
It gives the impression that the government will take care of everything.
Muzhik #24
In what way does the interaction between the two Officials develop the theme of the text?
It illustrates the ways in which bureaucracy fails the people of a country.
It offers a commentary on the nature of people in society who fail to advance through education and training.
It shows the ways in which accomplished men can lack basic knowledge about how the world around them functions.
It highlights the differences in the approach to government in the modern world versus more traditional governments.