A few years ago, my family went on a trip to Japan. We visited the big cities of Tokyo and Yokohama. We also visited a very old and charming city called Kyoto. In Japanese, Kyoto means capital city. In fact, Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan for hundreds of years before Tokyo took its place. Thankfully, Kyoto’s historical treasures weren’t destroyed in World War II like most were in Tokyo. Shinto and Buddhist shrines can be found throughout the city. They house thousands of priceless artifacts.

Kyoto is beautiful! The city is full of charming neighborhoods and exceptional gardens. The homes that line Kyoto’s winding streets are made of paper and wood. Most houses are small, with just one room covered with tatami. A tatami is a straw woven floor mat. Beds are simple futons placed on the floor. Even though they are sparsely furnished, Kyoto’s homes are very comfortable. They often open up to a private garden where you can visit and relax.

The architecture and design of Kyoto’s older buildings is amazing. The old Imperial Palace was built in 794. It was designed to be a graceful and elegant royal home. But there’s another building which is even more breathtaking. It is called the Golden Pavilion. First built in 1397, this impressive structure sits in the middle of a gorgeous lake surrounded by well-maintained gardens. Believe it or not, the pavilion is actually adorned with real gold!



This passage would most likely be found in?
Question 1 options:

an encyclopedia.


a book of folktales.


a personal journal.


a newspaper.

You can tell from the passage that the author ?
Question 2 options:

hated visiting Japan.


went to many places in Japan, but liked Kyoto best.


didn’t like sleeping on futons.


doesn’t like traveling with her parents.

The main purpose of this passage is to?


Question 3 options:

describe the city of Kyoto.


convince the reader that Kyoto should still be Japan’s capital.


compare and contrast Kyoto and Tokyo.


prove that Kyoto is the most beautiful city.