The paragraph below is from a writer's informational essay for social studies class. Read the
paragraph and the directions that follow.
The Maasai people live near the Rift Valley in Kenya and Tanzania, which are countries
in eastern Africa. The Maasai are divided into many different
clans, or groups. They still
practice the rituals of their ancient ancestors. Many of these ceremonies are rites of
passage. One of the first rituals in the life of a Maasai is the naming ceremony. It might
not take place until the child is as old as three years. The ceremony begins with the mother
and child coming out of seclusion. Then their heads are shaved, a common practice
in many
Maasai rites of passage. After two days, the mother and other Maasai women select a
name for the child. They base the name on the personality the child has shown. As the child
matures, he or she will celebrate other rites of passage.
Select the sentence that is unnecessary and should be removed from the paragraph.
A "The Maasai are divided into many different clans, or groups."
B
"Many of these ceremonies are rites of passage."
C "Then their heads are shaved, a common practice in many Maasai rites of passage."
D
"As the child matures, he or she will celebrate other rites of passage."