Which of the following is an example of a 'rite of passage'?

A 'rite of passage' is a specific type of ceremony or event that marks an important transition or transformation in a person's life. This concept often involves significant changes such as moving from childhood to adulthood or the transitions associated with marriage, parenthood, or even death.

The choice that exemplifies a 'rite of passage' is the ceremony that signifies a child's coming of age. This type of ceremony often includes rituals and celebrations that acknowledge the individual's new status in society and can involve various cultural practices that reinforce their new responsibilities and rights as an adult. Such ceremonies can vary widely across different cultures, but they all serve the same fundamental purpose: to publicly recognize and affirm a significant life change.

In contrast, the other choices focus on communal activities that do not necessarily mark a personal transition. For example, a communal feast during harvest season is more about collective celebration and gratitude for the bounty than individual transformation. A mourning ritual for lost ancestors serves to honor and remember the deceased, which is important but does not signify a change in the individual's status. Similarly, a gathering to discuss community issues is centered around collective decision-making and does not signify a personal rite of passage. Thus, the coming-of-age ceremony clearly embodies the characteristics of a 'rite of passage.'