"The Art of Brazilian Lace"

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.”

Answer explanation

This sentence shows how the whole article is about enjoying and appreciating the hard work and beauty of handmade lace, which is a big idea repeated in the text.

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RI.10.2

What is the meaning of the word frenetic in paragraph 1?

• relaxed

• fragile

• active

• clumsy

Answer explanation

"Frenetic" means active because the woman’s hands are moving quickly and working fast, not slow or calm.

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 describes the beauty of the art designs used in lacemaking.

• It emphasizes the lacemaker's ability to create a wonderful product to sell to people.

• It expresses the level of difficulty involved in lacemaking.

Answer explanation

The paragraph shows how difficult lace-making is by describing how little lace is made after a whole day of fast, detailed work.

What is the meaning of laborious based on the sentences below from paragraphs 1 and 2?

"Incongruously, her frenetic movements produce a minuscule lace fragment. In fact, a full day's work yields just a few inches of delicate finery.

"The extraordinarily laborious craft of bobbin lace (renda di bilros in Portuguese) came to Brazil along with Portuguese colonists who claimed its beautiful northeastern coastline as their own in he seventeenth century."

• easily performed

• excessively difficult

• extremely dull

• quickly finished

Answer explanation

“Laborious” means something that takes a lot of time and effort, which makes sense since the text says only a little lace is made in a full day.

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 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 a luxury that pioneers could not afford in the New World; in Europe, lace was found on common accessories.

• 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.

Answer explanation

In the New World, lace was used for everyday items and chores, but in Europe, it was special and fancy, like for rich clothes.

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 provides information about the historical role Iguape and Prainha played in creating the art of lacemaking.

• She makes convincing statements about the higher cost of lacemaking in Iguape and Prainha.

• She shares her feelings about the lacemaking practices in Iguape and Prainha that take advantage of women and girls.

Answer explanation

The author is inviting readers to visit places where they can really see how traditional lace is made, showing her excitement about it.

How does the art of making lace represent Brazilian cultural heritage?

• Portuguese colonists were developing the lacemaking market in Brazil during the seventeenth century.

• Lace is considered a luxurious fashion accessory in Brazil.

• Lacemaking is directly related to the daily tasks performed in the seaside colonies of Brazil.

• Lace has a religious significance to the people of Brazil.

Answer explanation

Lace-making became part of everyday life in Brazil because it was like other daily jobs, such as making nets or baskets.

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.”

• “Ask the lacemakers to indicate which patterns are most traditional, as each town is known for its own patterns.”

• “As many as 50 bobbins, each holding an individual thread, might be used to work a single pattern.”

• “You can pick up small items like napkins for around seven to 15 Brazilian reals (just a few dollars).”

Answer explanation

Using up to 50 bobbins at once shows how complex and time-consuming lace-making really is.

How does the author order events to develop her points?

• She details the various aspects of the lacemaking process.

• She discusses the historical causes of lacemaking and its great impact.

• She compares and contrasts the different methods of lacemaking.

• She states an opinion about lacemaking in Brazil without evidence to support it.

Answer explanation

The author explains each step and detail about how lace is made to help readers understand the full process.