The Farmer's Market

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

The main purpose of this passage is to ..

• compare two places where people buy food

• convince readers that farmer's markets are superior to grocery stores

• explain why the smartest people shop at grocery stores

• show that people should be judged based on where they buy their food

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

Based on information in the passage, which of the following is LEAST likely to be sold at a farmer's market?

• tomatoes

• cucumbers

• noodles

• beef

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

Based on information in paragraph 3, it can be understood that grocery stores are ...

• able to accept credit cards

• open on Sundays

• accessible to handicapped people

• willing to package foods

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

In paragraph 3 the author writes, "Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods." Which of the following conjunctions would best be used to begin this sentence?

• In addition

• However

• As a result

• Although

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

Based on its use in paragraph 3, it can be understood that deters belongs to which of the following word groups

• entices, coaxes, convinces

• saddens, upsets, depresses

• aggravates, annoys, frustrates

• prevents, discourages, dissuades

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

In paragraph 3, the author most likely mentions that farmer's markets "are only open for business once or twice each week" in order to

• assist the reader in his or her own search for an acceptable farmer's market

• explain why farmer's markets are less convenient than grocery stores

• convince the reader that farmer's markets are too inconvenient to visit

• illustrate the manner in which farmer's markets have changed over time

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

As used in the final paragraph, which is the best synonym for prefer?

• love

• choose

• accept

• adore

When most people decide to buy food, they go to a grocery store. Grocery stores sell many different kinds of food in just one store. Some grocery stores also carry household goods such as aluminum foil, cleaning supplies, and diapers. A grocery store is a convenient place to shop for the kitchen and beyond.

Despite the ease of shopping in a grocery store, some people decide to buy their food from other places. Farmers' markets are one alternative to grocery stores. At a farmers' market, local farmers sell the foods they grow to customers. The foods they sell often include fruits, vegetables, and meats. Most of these foods are freshly harvested with no artificial additions.

There are several ways in which farmers' markets are less convenient than grocery stores, however. For example, packaged foods usually are not sold at farmer's markets. Many farmers do not accept credit cards or checks as payment for their goods. What is more, most farmers' markets are only open for business once or twice each week. While this often deters some shoppers, others are willing to accept these inconveniences in exchange for the fresh and local food found at farmers' markets.

Deciding whether to shop for food at grocery stores or at farmers' markets is a personal choice. This choice reflects a person’s values about life and about food. Those who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store. People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmers' market. Fortunately, most communities provide options for both kinds of shoppers.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the information in the final paragraph?

• Most communities provide options for shoppers who value convenience as well as those who value freshness.

• People who value convenience and variety will probably choose to shop at a grocery store

• Where a person decides to shop ultimately depends on his or her personal values.

• People who value freshness and enjoy supporting local farmers probably will prefer the farmer's market.