Fish Cheeks

What does paragraph 8 reveal about the narrator’s character development?

• After the dinner, she realizes that the minister’s son is not as friendly as she thought.

• As an adult, she regrets trying to fit in with other Americans and losing her identity.

• Years later, she learns to appreciate her family and her Chinese American identity.

• Years later, she learns to love her mother’s cooking, which she previously hated.

What is the central idea of the narrative "Fish Cheeks"?

• A girl who is in love with the minister's son but cannot date him due to her cultural beliefs.

• 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 and is trying to fit in with her friends.

• A girl who feels left out because she is Chinese and no one understands her, not even her parents.

Which quotation BEST shows the contrast of Tan’s family (the narrator) and Robert’s family (the guests)?

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

• "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."

• "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."

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

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 embarrassed 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.

When the Amy (the narrator) saw the food the mother was cooking, she most likely felt

• amused.

• surprised.

• excited.

• ashamed.

Why did Amy want to "disappear" during the meal?

• She was embarrassed because she accidentally belched in front of Robert.

• She was embarrassed about the way her family members were eating.

• She did not like the outfit that she has to wear to dinner.

• She dropped her plate on Robert while serving food.

Which of the following quotes BEST supports the 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."

How does the narrator's description of the cod (fish) in paragraph 3 impact the tone of the passage?

• She describes it as “slimy” and pathetic, which contributes to the angry tone of the passage.

• She describes it as “slimy” with “bulging eyes,” which contributes to the horrified tone of the passage.

• She describes it as pleading with big “bulging eyes,” which contributes to the pitying tone of the passage.

• She describes it as pleading not to be cooked, which contributes to the mocking tone of the passage.

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.

• She knows her daughter likes to eat Chinese food.

What lesson did the author learn from the dinner experience?

• It helps to befriend people who are different from you.

• Food can be used as a conversation starter whenmeeting someone new.

• Never be ashamed of your family culture.

• Dating outside of your race can bring shame and dishonor to your family.