Central idea
9. PART A
Which statement reflects the central idea of the text?
D. Rice consumption in Japan has significantly declined over the years due to changing lifestyles and preferences.
10. Part B
Which sentence from the text supports the answer in Part A?
D “Today, though, rice’s place in the Japanese food firmament is under strain from depopulation, changing lifestyles, and the sheer proliferation of tasty alternatives.” (paragraph 6)
What is the definition of the word "claim"?
To say that something is true or a fact. Although you cannot prove it, and other people may not believe it.
13. Which quotation from the text provides evidence to support the author’s claim about the cultural significance of rice in Japan?
A
“A short walk from the restaurant, a stone sculpture of a giant grain of rice...is a reminder of Dojima’s historical connection to the cereal that has long-sustained the world’s third-biggest economy.”
(paragraph 4)
11. How does the author connect the ideas concerning convenience and “rice separation”?
C by explaining that the fast pace of modern life is causing people to abandon traditional rice-based meals in favor of more convenient food options
What is the definition of "refine"?
Improve by making small changes.
What is the definition of connection?
A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked
What does the term "central idea" mean?
The overall message that the author is trying to portray.
****Daily Double*****
12. Read paragraph 17.
“There’s a tendency even among people who enjoy cooking to think of rice as a bit orthodox—after all, there’s only one way of cooking it. But there are so many delicious dishes you can make with gohan.”
Which phrase from the paragraph helps clarify the meaning of the word "orthodox" in the paragraph?
C “...there’s only one way of cooking it.”
14. How does the author use rhetoric in the text to advance his purpose?
B by including personal stories from rice enthusiasts to emphasize the cultural significance of rice and the difficulty of reversing its decline
What does it mean to advance the plot?
to move a story forward in a purposeful way
*****Daily Double******
What is the definition of the word "express"?
To state clearly.