4] Millions of people have had arranged marriages in the past, and millions still engage in the

Question

practice today. Most modern arranged marriages take place in the Middle East and Far East, in
countries like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Japan, and others. It has become less
popular in places like China over the past few decades, as the culture rapidly Westernizes and
young people are beginning to value individual choice more than family traditions and preferences.
[5] Arranged marriage was much more universal in previous centuries, and was still quite common
across Europe until the 1700s. Immigrant families brought the practice to America, where it still
lingers among some minority groups. Today, some royal families and elites around the world still
arrange their marriages, to preserve royal heritage or social status.

1. How does the preservation of social status reflect broader cultural values in arranged
marriages?
A. It shows how communities prioritize traditional hierarchies and social status
B. It represents resistance to modernization in rapidly changing societies
C. It emphasizes collective family identity over personal preferences
D. It reveals that arranged marriages are primarily economic rather than cultural
2 What is the most likely reason the author includes the sentence about arranged
marriages being less popular in China in paragraph 4?
A. To demonstrate how traditional practices evolve when cultural values shift
B. To contrast Eastern cultural changes with persistent Western traditions
C. To illustrate the tension between preserving heritage and embracing new values
D. To suggest that modernization inevitably leads to cultural loss

3. The author most likely includes the sentence about royal families in paragraph 5 to –
A. highlight a modern group that continues the practice of arranged marriage.
B. argue that social status is unimportant in modern marriages.
C. contrast royal traditions with those of immigrant families.
D. To show that arranged marriages are more about tradition than love.
4. The inclusion of immigrant families bringing arranged marriage to America most likely
serves to — Select TWO correct answers.
show how the practice has been adapted.
emphasize the infrequence of arranged marriages.
illustrate the persistence of cultural traditions.
compare immigrant practices to royal traditions.
advocate for arranged marriages in modern society.
5. Based on the excerpt, how does the author develop the thesis that cultural traditions
influence arranged marriages? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
___________________________________________________________________________

Answer 1

1. How does the preservation of social status reflect broader cultural values in arranged marriages?

   A. It shows how communities prioritize traditional hierarchies and social status.

   The preservation of social status in arranged marriages highlights the importance placed on existing hierarchies and the collective identity of the community, reflecting cultural values that prioritize these aspects over individual choice.

2. What is the most likely reason the author includes the sentence about arranged marriages being less popular in China in paragraph 4?

   A. To demonstrate how traditional practices evolve when cultural values shift.

   The author likely includes this point to illustrate how cultural values, particularly the shift towards individual choice, have led to changes in traditional practices like arranged marriage, showing an evolution tied to modernization.

3. The author most likely includes the sentence about royal families in paragraph 5 to –

   A. highlight a modern group that continues the practice of arranged marriage.

   By mentioning royal families, the author draws attention to how some groups still engage in arranged marriages, underscoring that the practice persists among certain sectors of society despite broader societal changes.

4. The inclusion of immigrant families bringing arranged marriage to America most likely serves to — Select TWO correct answers.

   1. illustrate the persistence of cultural traditions.

   2. show how the practice has been adapted.

   The mention of immigrant families bringing arranged marriages to America highlights the continued influence of cultural traditions and suggests that these practices have adjusted within a new cultural context.

5. Based on the excerpt, how does the author develop the thesis that cultural traditions influence arranged marriages? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

   The author develops the thesis that cultural traditions influence arranged marriages by providing historical context and contemporary examples. The text indicates that arranged marriages have been historically common across various regions, such as Europe until the 1700s, and still persist in cultures like those in the Middle East and Far East. For instance, the mention of royal families arranging marriages to preserve heritage emphasizes the role of tradition in maintaining social structures. Additionally, the contrast of arranged marriages becoming less popular in China due to a shift towards valuing individual choice supports the idea that cultural values directly affect the prevalence and nature of arranged marriages. Overall, the author's exploration of how different societies engage with or resist these practices underscores the significant impact of cultural traditions on arranged marriages.