Question

to prepare for the ceremony, kavita fetched sweets called barfi from the refrigerator, while janaki found fragrant incense and some red powder made of crushed spices, which was left over from the last family celebration. janaki began by lighting the incense. then she dipped her finger into the powder. as a sign of respect, janaki used it to make a dot on her sisters forehead. kavita did the same for her. next, janaki offered kavita a square of barfi and, again, kavita did the same, giggling as some of the powder fell onto the dessert from her forehead.(1) what does the word it refer tobarfiincensethe familythe powder(2) as a sign of respect, janaki used to make a dot on her sisters forehead. kavita did the same for her.

Explanation:

1. For the first question, we trace the pronoun "it" back to the prior sentence: "Then she dipped her finger into the powder. As a sign of respect, Janaki used it to make a dot on her sister's forehead." The noun directly referenced before "it" is the red spice powder.
2. For the second fill-in, the context confirms the powder is the item used to make the respectful dot on the forehead.

Answer:

1. What does the word it refer to?

the powder

1. As a sign of respect, Janaki used the powder to make a dot on her sister's forehead. Kavita did the same for her.