Question 8 • CMS 2026-2027 English II CREDIT RECOVERY
Read the passage from Sugar Changed the World . I wanted to know more about the beguiling Nina, and my cousin had plenty of stories to share. He told me that her grandfather was a Russian serf—a farmer who could be bought and sold by the noble who owned his land. Family legend has it that this serf, a remarkable and intelligent man, helped to change the course of the history of sugar. In the early 1800s, the British controlled most of the sugar plantations of the Caribbean and the sea routes to Europe. As a result, their rivals were desperate to find a new way to create sugar. They turned to beets. What is the purpose of this passage?
Answer
A
It provides background on how a family from Russia got into the sugar business.
B
It explains why the person telling the story is fascinated with Russian history.
C
It reveals methods used by the British to maintain control of the sugar market.
D
It explains that beets can be grown, processed, and refined into sugar for market.
Explanation
The passage connects Nina’s family history to the history of sugar: her grandfather was a Russian serf, and family legend says he helped change sugar’s course when Britain’s rivals turned to beets. This gives background on how a family from Russia became involved in the sugar business. It does not describe how to process beets or how the British maintained control.
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