Fish Cheek

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 inference about the minister's family?

• “Robert and their family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them" (1).

• “Robert was looking at his plate with a reddened face" (1).

• “‘It’s a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied,’ explained my father” (1).

• “I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner" (1).

How is the character of Amy affected by her culture?

• 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

Why is Amy nervous about having guests over for dinner?

• She lives in an apartment.

• She has been sick.

• Her mom is loud and embarrassing .

• She is embarrassed about her family's Chinese customs.

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

What does the tweed skirt represent?

• Chinese culture

• American culture

• Amy's freedom

• Japanese culture

Which line best shows the difference between Amy's family and Robert’s family?

• "Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence" (1).

• "My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping them into the dozen or so plates of food. Robert and his family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them" (1).

• "Then my father poked his chopsticks just below the fish eye and plucked out the soft meat. "Amy, your favorite," he said, offering me the tender fish cheek" (1).

• "And then they arrived – the minister's family and all my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages" (1).

Why does Mother say "you want to be American girl on the outside"?

• She knows her daughter is struggling with her culture.
• She knows her daughter loves American clothing.
• She knows her daughter is in love with an American boy.
• They live in America.

Which sentence from the selection best shows that the author was not excited about her crush coming to dinner?

• Robert grunted hello and I pretended he was not worthy of existence.
• When I found out that my parents had invited the minister's family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.
• But inside you must always be Chinese.
• I was stunned into silence for the rest of the night.

What point of view is the story being told from?

• Third person point of view
• Second person point of view
• First person point of view
• My point of view