Two Kinds

“It was not the only disappointment my mother felt in me. In the years that followed, I failed her many times, each time asserting my will, my right to fall short of expectations” (p.7).
Why did Jing-mei fail “in the years that followed”?

• She wasn’t talented enough.

• Her mother was too overbearing. 

• She chose to fail.

• She just didn’t find the right kind of prodigy.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What does this quote mean: '“Only two kinds of daughters,” she shouted in Chinese. “Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter!”'

• The mother believes that since she was obedient as a kid, her daughter June should be too.

• June's mom believes that children can only obey their parents or their own desires, not both. These are the "two kinds."

• June is never going to obey her mother because she hates her mom and doesn't respect her at all.

• June's mother understands that she does not want to be a piano prodigy and supports her goals.

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

What does June realize at the end of the story?

• That her mother actually did believe in her and her potential, even if she could be harsh.

• That her mom never really loved her and was a truly selfish person.

• June is glad that she kept playing the piano and made a career out of it.

• June knows that her mother never believed in her potential and wished she had a different daughter.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is the mother's motivation for the way she acts?

• She resents June for not understanding the tragedy she experienced in China.

• She just wants June to be happy, no matter what it takes.

• She pushes June so hard because she wants her to be successful and have a good life in the U.S.

• She wants June to become famous so that she can quit being a housekeeper and be supported by her daughter.

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CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is the significance of the title "Two Kinds"?

• The mother tells her daughter, there are two kinds of daughters ones that are obedient and ones that do what they want

• There are two kinds of people, people that are good at music and those that are not

• There were two different songs the narrator could play

• The narrator feels two ways about her mother, hate and love

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CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What does Jing-Mei's mother pressure her to become?

• a child prodigy

• a movie star

• Shirley Temple

• herself

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How does Jing-Mei change at the end of the story?

• She becomes proud of herself.

• She becomes a child prodigy.

• She becomes Shirley Temple.

• She becomes a world-renowned piano player.

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CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which of the following statements best represents a possible theme of “Two Kinds”?

• Achieving the American Dream requires becoming a prodigy.

• Being an obedient child requires pursuing your family’s dreams.

• It’s important to self-advocate for who you are and what you want in life.

• It’s important to be proud of your accomplishments.

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CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is the main conflict in 'Two Kinds'?

• A) The struggle between a mother and daughter over cultural expectations.

• B) The daughter's desire to become a piano prodigy.

• C) The mother's wish to return to China.

• D) The daughter's struggle with school grades.

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CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which literary device is predominantly used in 'Two Kinds' to highlight the generational gap?

• A) Metaphor

• B) Irony

• C) Symbolism

• D) Foreshadowing

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CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7