Question

What is the main idea of the passage?


A family struggles to survive on a rural farm.


A family learns that if they work hard they will be successful.


A grandma teaches her family to eat healthy food.


A grandma sets a good example for her family to follow.
I sliced the final sliver of red pepper and placed it on top of a large mound of fresh, vibrant vegetables. Grandma Jo would be proud of the assortment of colors in this meal; she often says the more colorful the dish, the healthier it is. I'd been thinking about Grandma Jo a lot lately. My son Anthony and I had recently moved from a small town to a much larger city where I had a new and more challenging job. Years ago, Grandma Jo had taught me the importance of hard work. This move to the city was evidence that I didn't forget what I'd learned from her.

2 My reminiscing was interrupted when I heard Anthony unlock the front door. Slamming the door shut, he strode into the kitchen, threw his backpack on the floor, surveyed the neat pile of ingredients, and shook his head.

3 “Mom, why do you spend so much time preparing dinner when there are convenient alternatives? You know, take-out, delivery, frozen meals; everybody's doing it.”

4 I laughed out loud as I recalled wondering the same thing about Grandma Jo. The woman doesn't know the meaning of the word convenient; at least she lives as if she doesn't. She makes everything from scratch—food, cleaning supplies, even toothpaste!

5 “Don't you like my cooking, Anthony?” I asked with a mock look of hurt on my face.

Answer 1

A grandma sets a good example for her family to follow.

The narrator recalls Grandma Jo's habits—hard work, making things from scratch, and valuing healthy, colorful meals—which influenced the narrator's choices and work ethic.