Evidence and Inferences
Why did the soup taste better the first time Zhao ate it?
A) He was extremely hungry and in need of a meal.
Which of the following is a major theme of "Jade Soup"?
B) Your situation and needs change how you perceive things.
What was Zhao's status at the very beginning of the story?
C) A poor, struggling man named Zhao Kuangyin.
In Paragraph 4, The woman calls the name of the soup her "fancy." Based on the text, what does this mean?
C) It is a name she made up using her imagination.
from what point of view is "Jade Soup" told?
E) Third-person, by an outside narrator.
Which quote best supports the inference that Zhao was desperate when he first met the woman?
B) "...at his torn clothes, his unshaven face, his trembling hands..."
Which sentence would be most important to include in a summary of the middle/Rising Action of the story?
C) The Emperor, though wealthy, lost his appetite and longed for a simple meal from his past.
How does Zhao’s character change from the beginning to the middle of the story?
D) He goes from a man of no means to the powerful Emperor Taizu.
What does the word "bitter" describe in paragraph 12?
E) A sharp, unpleasant, or harsh flavor.
How can the reader tell the story is told in the third-person?
A) The narrator uses pronouns like "he," "him," and "she" to describe characters.
Based on the text, why did the Emperor fire a "procession of cooks"?
C) They could not recreate the specific joy he felt during the original meal.
What is the main reason the Emperor seeks out the old woman after many years?
D) He wants to recapture the "ecstasy" of a meal he remembered from a harder time.
How did the woman react to being brought to the palace?
E) She was annoyed that her peaceful life was being interrupted.
in paragraph 9, the Emperor wants to "recapture the ecstasy" of the meal. What does "ecstasy" mean?
A) A state of intense happiness or delight.
How does the author primarily organize the events in the story?
C) By following a chronological sequence that includes a jump forward of "many years."
Which piece of evidence shows that the Emperor accepted the old woman's explanation?
D) He said, "You are right... I have forgotten."
Which statement best summarizes the resolution (ending) of the story?
E) The Emperor admits he had forgotten the reality of hunger and shares the meal with his court.
What is the climax (turning point) of the story?
A) When the Emperor eats the soup at the palace and finds it bitter and gritty.
In paragraph 7, the author states that a "sea of memories washed over him." What is the meaning of this phrase?
B) He was suddenly and strongly reminded of many past events.
The author contrasts the mountain setting (beginning) with the palace setting (middle). How does this structural choice contribute to the meaning of the story?
B) It emphasizes how much Zhao’s status and perspective changed over time.
What can be inferred about the old woman’s character from her actions in paragraph 8?
E) She is naturally kind and gives what she has to those in need.
How does the contrast between the mountain and the palace develop the theme?
A) It highlights that the soup was a treasure to a starving man but unappealing to a wealthy one.
What is the Emperor’s primary motivation for the feast at the end?
B) He wants his court to remember the value of simple things and the reality of hunger.
In paragraph 15, What does the word "entreat" mean when the Emperor speaks to the woman?
C) To ask or beg someone earnestly.
Which statement best describes the cause-and-effect structure used in the final part of the story?
D) Because the Emperor was no longer starving, the soup no longer tasted like the "ecstasy" he remembered.