Question

read the excerpt below from \at the hearth\ by laura esquivel and answer the question that follows.
i spent the first years of my life beside the hearth in my mothers and grandmothers kitchens, seeing how these wise women, upon entering those sacred places, became priestesses, great alchemists who dealt with water, air, fire, and earth - the four basic elements that comprise the entire universe. and the most surprising thing is that they did it in the most humble manner, as if they werent doing anything, as if they werent transforming the world with the purifying power of fire, as if they didnt know that the foods they prepared and the rest of us ate remained in our bodies for many hours, chemically altering our organisms, nourishing our souls and our spirits and giving us an identity, a language, a legacy.
what does the passage reveal about gender roles in esquivels culture?
women work in the kitchen to prepare meals but are humble about their work.
women are great priestesses and alchemists who work with the elements.
women are seen as sacred and holy priestesses of the earth.
the passage doesnt discuss gender roles.

Explanation:

The passage describes women working in the kitchen (a traditional gender - role space for women in many cultures). It also mentions that "the most surprising thing is that they did it in the most humble manner", which indicates that women work in the kitchen to prepare meals but are humble about their work. The other options either take the metaphorical language too literally (e.g., "great priestesses and alchemists" is a metaphor for their kitchen work, not a literal description of their social status as priestesses in a religious or earth - related sense) or are incorrect (the passage clearly discusses women's role in the kitchen, which is a gender - role aspect).

Answer:

Women work in the kitchen to prepare meals but are humble about their work.