Food Production

In line 17, the narrator most likely uses the phrase “embalmed beef” to convey the idea that

• the packers view the dead cows with some respect. 
• the meat is beef and not something else.
• the beef has been long preserved, like a dead body.
• the beef is safe to eat and not rotten.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What is ironic about the law banning the slaughter and canning of horse meat?

• The horses are supposed to be used for fertilizer.
• Many of the animals suffer under terrible conditions.
• Packingtown complies with the law, for the time being.
• Most canned meat does not match the label on the can.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Why was Jurgis impressed when he first inspected the packing plants?

• The working conditions seemed relatively good.
• The animal carcasses produced many different products.
• The workers seemed proud of the industries they were involved in.
• Many wonderful products were produced quickly and efficiently.

The narrator explains in lines 61–73 that, unlike the cheating that occurs with the products themselves,

• the ingenuity that goes into making the products is impressive.
• workers are paid a fair wage for the jobs they do.
• consumers get genuine nutritional value from canned meats.
• the suffering of the Packingtown workers is easily seen.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Jurgis’s friend tells him that “anybody who could invent a new imitation had been sure of a fortune from old Durham.” Readers can infer that this is because

• imitation meats are cheaper than the real thing and allow the company to make bigger profits.
• the company takes pride in making authentic-tasting products from surprising ingredients.
• the company’s founder will be retiring soon and is looking for a clever young man to replace him.
• there is a surplus of beef that the company wants to be able to sell as different kinds of meat.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

If someone is sceptical, he or she is

• full of doubt.
• not trustworthy.
• amusing.
• expecting the worst.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

To oblige is to

• quit a job.
• spread rumors.
• commit a crime.
• compel by pressure.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What does ostensibly mean?

• mindlessly
• haltingly
• seemingly
• aggressively

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

A plan is ingenious if it is

• clever.
• boring.
• not well thought out.
• likely to be discovered.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

In lines 107–112, the narrator says that as the “hoisters” ran back and forth, “at every few feet they would have to stoop under a beam, say four feet above the one they ran on, which got them into the habit of stooping, so that in a few years they would be walking like chimpanzees.” The author most likely chose this imagery to

• suggest that the hoisters behaved like animals.
• imply that the hoisters were treated like animals.
• explain the importance of standing up straight.
• note how dangerous the beams could be.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5