Even though one book after another repeats this myth, the popularity of spices had nothing to do with disguising the taste of meat or fish that had gone bad. Any lord who could afford spices (which were expensive) could easily get fresh meat or fish (which were readily available); and when a cook happened to be stuck with rancid food, the spices he had available could not hide the awful smell or taste. Whenever they could, people used the spices that were so popular, they became an expensive necessity: pepper, ginger, sugar, sometimes saffron. Only the very rich could afford the luxuries—such as ambergris (which is coughed up by whales and offers a strange, perfumy taste of the sea).

Question

–Sugar Changed the World,
Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos

The central idea in this passage is that spices were popular because they were flavorful, not because they helped people eat spoiled food. Which ideas are key details supporting this? Check all that apply.

Spices could not disguise bad meat.
Ambergris has a briny, sealike taste.
Fresh meat and fish were easy to find.
Only the very rich could afford luxuries.
A myth is often repeated in books.

Answer 1

The key details that support the central idea that spices were popular because they were flavorful, not because they helped people eat spoiled food, are:

1. Spices could not disguise bad meat. - This directly supports the idea that spices were not used to mask spoiled food.
2. Fresh meat and fish were easy to find. - This implies that there was no need for spices to cover up bad food when fresh options were readily available.

The other options do not directly support the central idea:

• Ambergris has a briny, sealike taste. - While this mentions a spice, it doesn't relate to the idea of masking spoiled food.
• Only the very rich could afford luxuries. - This refers to the affordability of spices but does not directly address the reason for their popularity.
• A myth is often repeated in books. - This speaks to the nature of myths and repetition but does not directly support the idea about spices and spoiled food.