Question

My mother, along with all of my godparents, began planning my quinceañera after I turned fourteen. My mother and aunts took me to a bridal shop where I was fitted for a long, white gown, which I would wear at the celebration. I felt my cheeks grow red with embarrassment as the women fawned and fussed over me in the store. I desperately wished that I could just find a hole to crawl into and hide, but there was no way out. My mother, who was in her glory, naturally assumed that the redness in my face was a glow of happiness. I let her go right on thinking that. It was her day, I kept telling myself. I was doing this for her.

At last, the big day came. My father cooked up a special breakfast for my brothers and me first thing that morning. I had a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I was somewhat comforted by my father's easygoing manner and his apparent anticipation of the celebration ahead.

After breakfast, my mother helped me dress for the quinceañera. While she was styling my hair, she paused every so often to wipe away a tear of joy that had trickled down her face. I couldn't recall ever having seen my mother quite this happy, and suddenly my heart swelled with affection for her.

Two hours later, I found myself standing in the front of a church while all of my dearest friends and family members gazed up at me from the pews. As I looked out on the smiling, supportive faces of all the people I loved, I had an unexpected realization. This day wasn't for my mother after all; it was for me.

The church ceremony was followed by a fiesta that lasted all day and into the night. My parents served food that they had worked for days to prepare. A disc jockey played all of the music I loved, and I was showered with beautiful gifts, practical advice, and good wishes from everyone important to me.

As I watched my family members celebrate in my honor, I realized that my Mexican heritage was not something intangible, like a bunch of old stories about long-gone relatives. My heritage, I realized, was very real. It was with me at all times, and I was proud of it.

What is the purpose of this essay?

to describe the writer's changing perception of her quinceañera celebration



to explore the writer's difficulty appreciating her own Mexican culture



to explain the writer's preference for avoiding being the center of attention



to show the writer's appreciation of her mother and father

Answer 1

The correct answer is A. To describe the writer's changing perception of her quinceañera celebration

Step-by-step explanation:

This text describes the way a girl experienced her quinceañera, which is a special birthday party celebration when a girl turns fifteen in Mexican culture. In the text it is mentioned the way her family began planning the celebration and how the girl felt embarrassed when she was taken to a bridal shop and had to wear a white gown, it is also mentioned all she wanted to do was to "find a hole to crawl into and hide" which implies the writer (the girl) does not feel happy about the celebration. However, as she is later in the church and the party she changes her perception as she realizes the party was not a day to please her mother, but it was a day for her to enjoy and she mentions she is happy for the celebration and recognizes her Mexican heritage feeling proud of it. Thus, in this essay, the main purpose is to describe how the writer (a girl that turns fifteen) change her perception about her quinceañera as at the beginning she felt ashamed, but at the end was proud and happy for it.