Quiz on Amy Tan's Writing

In Paragraph 2, Tan asks a series of questions. What effect does this create?

• It shows how excited Tan is to have the minister’s family over for dinner.

• It reflects the uncertainty Tan feels about eating turkey and sweet potatoes.

• It proves that Tan is extremely nervous about having Americans in her house to celebrate Christmas the Chinese way.

• The questions show Tan is unsure of who will be attending Christmas dinner.

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What was the author’s purpose in including the situation with the belch in Paragraph 6?

• Tan wanted to show how impolite Robert’s family acts.

• Tan’s purpose was to show how different cultures have different customs.

• Tan wanted to show her parents were kind and attentive hosts.

• Tan uses the incident to create a humorous mood.

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What was Tan’s purpose in ending the piece by reflecting back on the situation as an adult?

• It shows that she regrets never fully assimilating into American culture.

• The reflection shows that she’s gained some perspective and has learned to appreciate both her family’s traditions and her identity as a Chinese American.

• It proves that she still regrets having the minister’s son over for Christmas dinner.

• It proves that she is a static character.

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What can be inferred about Amy Tan from the following simile and imagery in Paragraph 1? “He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger. For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.”

• Amy Tan is not very religious.

• Robert is very attractive and Amy Tan is jealous of his good looks.

• Amy Tan is very confident about her appearance.

• She feels different and apart from Robert because of their race, and yearns to fit in with him.

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What tone is conveyed through the description of the food in paragraph 3?

• shocked and horrified

• hopeful and optimistic

• sarcastic and negative

• dreamy and contemplative

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PART A: How are the fish cheeks and beige tweed mini skirt used as symbols by Tan?

• The fish cheeks symbolize her Chinese culture, while the mini skirt symbolizes her desire to assimilate into American culture.

• The fish cheeks symbolize her father, while the mini skirt symbolizes her mother.

• Tan uses both symbols to represent the awkward night.

• The skirt symbolizes that Tan is growing up and is interested in boys, while the fish cheeks symbolize that she wants to remain a little girl.

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PART B: Which of the following quotes supports your answer to Part A?

• “And even though I didn’t agree with her then, I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner.” (Paragraph 8)

• “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside, but inside you must always be Chinese.” (Paragraph 7)

• Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence.” (Paragraph 4)

• “At the end of the meal my father leaned back and belched loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking.” (Paragraph 6)

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PART A: What theme is revealed in the text?

• Don’t let a boy change who you are on the inside.

• You can get through any situation with courage and perseverance.

• You can fit into society while still honoring your family’s culture.

• Hope can get you through a difficult situation.

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Part B: Which of the following quotes supports your answer to Part A?

• “Dinner threw me deeper into despair.” (Paragraph 5)

• “You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.” (Paragraph 7)

• “For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods. (Paragraph 8)

• “And then they arrived- the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages.” (Paragraph 4)

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What does the imagery in the following quote symbolize? “A slimy rock cod with bulging eyes that pleaded not to be thrown into a pan of hot oil.” (Paragraph 3)

• The cod symbolizes the minister and his family because they were pleading to go home.

• The “bulging eyes” symbolize the minister and his family’s eyes because they bulged out of their heads when they saw the food that was being served.

• The cod symbolizes Amy Tan’s discomfort and chagrin with the dinner situation.

• The cod symbolizes her mother because she pleaded with Amy not to embarrass her during dinner.

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