"Fish Cheeks"

RL 7.1 Making InferencesPart A: What can you infer about the minister’s family in this story?

• They are embarrassed and shocked by the behavior of the narrator’s relatives at dinner.
• They are comfortable eating with people of different backgrounds and cultures.
• They are allergic to the exotic food being served by the narrator’s mother.
• They are excited to have the opportunity to try new and different foods for Christmas.

Which piece of evidence best supports your answer to Part A?

• “Robert and their family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them.”
• “Robert was looking at his plate with a reddened face.”
• “‘It’s a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied,’ explained my father”
• “I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which of the following is the best example of the theme of this text?

• Be proud of your heritage
• Coming of age
• Family isn’t perfect, but love them anyway
• Star-crossed love

Which piece of evidence best supports the theme you chose in Part A?

• “My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table.”
• “For Christmas I prayed for this blonde-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.
• “You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.”
• “For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods.”

How is the character of Amy affected by the setting of this story?

• Her Chinese relatives and the unique food on the menu make her feel uncomfortable in her own home.
• Her father’s behavior at dinner makes her wish she had been born into a different family.
• She desperately wishes to appear more American, so she feels better when her mother gives her the skirt.
• She is proud of her home and happy to have guests over for dinner, making her feel confident

What is the meaning of the word “astonished” in this sentence?“It’s a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied,” explained my father to our astonished guests.

• Delighted
• Confused
• Shocked
• Nauseated

How does the author use imagery in this story to set the mood?

• The author uses the description of Amy’s father to set a delighted mood for the dinner scene.
• The author uses the description of the foods in the kitchen to convey the horrified mood of the narrator before dinner.
• The author uses the description of Amy’s desired American features to set the self-conscious mood of the story.
• The author uses the description of the dinner conversation to set the boisterous mood of the dinner party.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

How does the structure of paragraphs 5 & 6 contribute to the meaning of the text?

• The author contrasts the loud and rambunctious behaviors of Amy’s family with the quiet and polite attitudes of Robert’s to showcase their differences.
• The author uses the descriptions of Amy’s family members to elicit sympathy for those characters from the reader.
• The author uses a sequential structure to showcase the events of the dinner party as they happen, in order.
• The author uses description to give detail to the menu items that are being served at Amy’s house for Christmas dinner.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

How is Amy’s point of view different from that of her mother?

• Amy feels ashamed because of her Chinese appearance while her mother demonstrates her cultural pride with her outward appearance.
• Amy’s point of view is reserved and calm, while her mother is anxious and self-conscious.
• Amy feels embarrassed by the shabbiness of their home while her mother feels proud that they have a home to invite guests to.
• Amy is embarrassed by the exotic foods her mother serves, while her mother feels excited to be serving all of Amy’s favorite foods to their guests.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6