Question

a daughter of the samurai
by etsu inagaki sugimoto (excerpt)
u inagaki sugimoto, the daughter of a samurai, was
ed in cold and isolated echigo, japan. in this excerpt
her memoir, she recounts the extensive preparations
in her village before each years first snowfall.
apan is often called by foreign people a land of
hine and cherry blossoms. this is because tourists
rally visit only the eastern and southern parts of the
try, where the climate is mild all the year round. on
orthwest coast the winters are long, snow often
ing the ground from december to march or april.
the province of echigo, where was my home, winter
y began with a heavy snow which came down fast
eady until only the thick, round ridge-poles of our
ed roofs could be seen. then groups of laborers,
raw mats over their shoulders and big woven hats
oked like umbrellas, came and with broad wooden
s cut tunnels through from one side of the street to
er. the snow was not removed from the middle of
et all winter. it lay in a long pile, towering far above
se-tops. the laborers cut steps, for they were
snow at intervals all winter, and we children used
up and run along the top. we played many games
6
select the correct answer.
look again at paragraphs 1 and 2. how does the author unfold her ideas about winter in echigo?
a. first, she explains why tourists avoid snowy echigo. next, she explains that snow is not removed from the middle of the street in winter. then, she describes how the snow comes down fast and heavy.
b. first, she contrasts the long winters of echigo to the mild weather in other parts of japan. next, she describes what the laborers do with the snow. then, she describes the games the children play in winter.
c. first, she explains that echigo has long winters. next, she explains the work that is done to prepare for the snow. then, she describes how the villagers deal with the heavy snowfall once it has arrived.
d. first, she describes how the laborers dig tunnels to allow the villagers of echigo to cross the street. next, she explains that they cut steps in the snow, which the children climb. then, she describes the clothing the laborers wear.

Explanation:

1. Paragraph 1 contrasts Japan's mild eastern/southern tourist areas with the long, snowy northwest coast (including Echigo).
2. Paragraph 2 first describes the heavy snowfall's arrival, then the laborers' work cutting tunnels and steps for navigation.
3. Option C matches this structure: starting with the long winters, moving to snow arrival, then village snow management. Other options are incorrect: A mentions tourists avoiding Echigo (not stated), B incorrectly lists children's games as a third point, D starts with laborer tunnels instead of the broader winter context.

Answer:

C. First, she explains that Echigo has long winters. Next, she explains the work that is done to prepare for the snow. Then, she describes how the villagers deal with the heavy snowfall once it has arrived.