The Memory in the Masa - Rising Action (Grade 7)

Based on Amelie's dialogue, what is the 'most important ingredient' missing from the masa?

• A secret type of salt

• A happy family memory

• More cilantro

• A blessing from an elder

Answer explanation

Amelie tells Maya to 'think of a time you felt happiest with our family.' After Maya does this, the dough changes. This shows that the memory is the missing ingredient.

What event is Maya preparing the pasteles for?

• A family dinner

• A bake sale

• The school's cultural fair

• A cooking competition

Answer explanation

The first paragraph explicitly states, 'Her project for the school's cultural fair was a disaster.' This shows the event she is preparing for.

What specific memory does Maya recall when she closes her eyes?

• A family picnic at the beach

• A birthday party with her cousins

• Making cookies with Amelie

• A holiday dinner

Answer explanation

The text directly states, 'Maya thought of last year's family picnic at the beach.'

What is the first thing that happens after Maya thinks of her happy memory?

• The dough starts to rise.

• Her grandmother starts singing.

• A shimmering green light glows from the bowl.

• The kitchen fills with smoke.

Answer explanation

The passage states, 'As the memory grew stronger in her mind, a faint, shimmering green light began to glow from the bowl on the counter.' This is the first extraordinary event that occurs.

How does the conflict change after Amelie reveals the secret of the ingredient?

• It becomes a conflict between Maya and her grandmother.

• It changes from a simple problem to a more difficult one.

• It becomes less important because the fair is canceled.

• It changes from a cooking problem to a magical challenge.

Answer explanation

Initially, Maya's problem is that her dough is wrong. After the magic is revealed, her challenge becomes adding 'a piece of your own story,' which is a magical and personal task, not just a technical cooking one. This raises the stakes.

Categorize the following events from the story as either 'An Everyday Problem' or 'An Extraordinary Event'.

Groups:

(a) An Everyday Problem

,

(b) An Extraordinary Event

• Dough glowing with a green light

• A recipe needing a memory as an ingredient

• The air smelling like the ocean inside a kitchen

• Maya being frustrated with a recipe

• Amelie walking into the kitchen

• Preparing food for a school fair

Answer explanation

The story blends normal, everyday life with magical elements. Frustration with cooking, a grandmother entering a room, and preparing for a school event are all normal. Glowing dough, smells appearing from nowhere, and recipes requiring memories are the extraordinary parts that build the rising action.

Match each line of dialogue with the motivation or intent it reveals.

• Explains the connection between food and cultural identity.

• "It's useless!"

• Shows feelings of failure and frustration.

• "Our food is not just for eating. It is for remembering who we are."

• Signals that the challenge has become more difficult.

• "What do you mean? I followed the recipe exactly."

• Shows confusion and reliance on literal instructions.

• "Now the real work begins."

Answer explanation

Each line of dialogue serves a purpose in building the story. 'It's useless!' expresses Maya's initial frustration. 'What do you mean?' shows her logical confusion before the magic is revealed. Amelie's line about remembering explains the story's main theme. 'Now the real work begins' raises the stakes for the story's climax.

The story's tension builds by moving from a normal problem (bad cooking) to a magical one. Analyze how the dialogue between Maya and Amelie causes this tension to rise. Use at least two quotes from their conversation to support your answer.

Answer explanation