Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan

Why did the narrator's mom give her a miniskirt?

• She wanted her daughter to look pretty at the Christmas dinner.

• It was fashionable at the time for western girls to wear them, and she wanted her daughter to fit in with her American girl friends.

• She wanted her to look more like a traditional Chinese girl.

• Amy likes wearing sexy, short skirts.

What is the main idea of the personal narrative called "Fish Cheeks"? 

• A girl who is in love with the minister's son but cannot date him

• A girl who is embarrassed to have guests over for dinner due to her cultural differences 

• A girl who moved to the United States from China

• A girl who feels left out because she is Chinese

Which of the following quotes best hints toward the lesson (theme) of the story?

• "For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods."

• "My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table..."

• "You must be proud you are different."

• "I fell in love with the minister's son when I turned fourteen."

Which is a theme of the story?

• Don't let others get too close to your heart.

• Friendship is important to young people.

• Love can cause us to do foolish things.

• Be proud of who you are.

Amy uses the comparison. "as white as Mary in the manger". She uses this comparison because _____. Choose two options .

• Robert was born in a manger just like Mary

• it is Christmas time and she compares Robert to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who she thinks is a white woman who is also not Chinese

• Mary is Robert's white American mother

• Robert is a pastor's son and she compares him to a biblical person from his Christian religion, which is different from her culture, hence the reference to Mary in the manger

The narrator refers to her family's efforts at hosting a Christmas dinner as a "shabby Chinese Christmas". The word "shabby" shows her _______.

• pride

• embarrassment

• confidence

• anger

"My relatives murmured with pleasure when my mother brought out the whole steamed fish", the word "murmured" means her family was ______.

• speaking in happy undertones when they saw the dish

• speaking loudly to show their satisfaction

• shouting and screaming

• talking so softly no one could hear what they were saying.

The word "manners" means _____.

• you are considering how others are feeling

• showing those around you that you are respectful

• showing those around you that you are better than them

• you are being polite and courteous

"The kitchen was littered with appalling mounds of raw food" The word "appalling" creates ____.

• a tone of satisfaction

• a tone of pleasure and joy

• a tone of shock and dismay

• no tone at all

What is the difference between belching and burping. "At the end of the meal my father leaned back and belched loudly" "The minister managed to muster up a quiet burp. "

• Belching is a Chinese custom and burping is a Western custom

• Belching and burping are synonyms for the noisy release of air from the stomach through the mouth.

• belching is a very rude custom, and much louder than burping, which is a more acceptable custom

• belching and burping are considered polite table manners in most cultures