Fish Cheeks Vocabulary Lesson

Fish Cheeks Lesson

by Amy Tran

Open Ended

What shapes a person’s identity? Is it possible for a person to change their identity? Should they try? Explain.

Sentence Frame: I believe that a person's identity is shaped by ___________. I believe/ do not believe that a person can change their idenity because ______.

Fish Cheeks Summary

'Fish Cheeks' by Amy Tan is about something that happened when Amy was a teenager. In the story, Amy's mother invites the minister and his family over for Christmas Eve dinner. Amy has a crush on the minister's son, Robert, and she is even more mortified about the idea than a typical teenager might be because of what the family might think about her family's culture.

Key Vocabulary

Fishcheeks

Resembled (verb)

have qualities or features, especially those of appearance, in common with (someone or something); look or seem like.

Grimaced (Past-tense verb)

an ugly, twisted expression on a person's face, typically expressing disgust, pain, or wry amusement.

Shabby (adjective)

looking old and in bad condition

Viens (noun)

A vein is a type of blood vessel in the body. All veins carry blood to the heart.

Prawns (Noun)

a marine crustacean that resembles a large shrimp

Clamor (noun)

a loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting

Shame (noun)

a loss of respect or esteem; dishonor.

Multiple Choice

Sam and Jessica _____ each other because of their brown eyes.

• checked

• grimaced

• resembled

Multiple Choice

After looking at the squid, James _____ at the dinner dish.

• grimaced

• looked

• eyed

Multiple Choice

The small, ____ house looked worn out and old.

• ugly

• shabby

• dainty

Multiple Choice

A loud and confused noise, especially that of people

• clamor

• shabby

• shame

• viens

Multiple Choice

a loss of respect or esteem

• prawns

• shame

• resembled

Multiple Choice

Having qualities or characteristics alike

• resembled

• grimaced