Sensory Details in Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks" -Narrative Writing

Which of the following sentences from the passage best appeals to the sense of sight?

• “Dinner threw me deeper into despair.”

• “A slimy rock cod with bulging eyes that pleaded not to be thrown into a pan of hot oil.”

• “Robert was looking down at his plate with a reddened face.”

• “I cried.”

How does the description of the food on page 1 (“slimy rock cod… rubbery white sponges… squid…”) affect the reader?

• It creates a sense of warmth and comfort.

• It shows the narrator’s excitement about the dinner.

• It helps the reader understand the narrator’s embarrassment and discomfort.

• It emphasizes the importance of the narrator’s cultural traditions.

What sense is most engaged by the phrase “the kitchen was littered with appalling mounds of raw food”?

• Touch

• Sight

• Smell

• Sound

Which line from the story most appeals to the sense of sound?

• “The minister managed to muster up a quiet burp.”

• “Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges.”

• “A bowl soaking dried fungus back to life.”

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

What is the effect of Amy Tan's inclusion of so many sensory details about the food and setting?

• To persuade the reader to try Chinese food

• To emphasize how delicious the meal was

• To illustrate the narrator’s deep appreciation of her culture

• To help the reader understand the narrator’s internal conflict and embarrassment

Which statement best expresses a central theme of “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan?

• It's important to impress others, even if it means changing who you are.

• Cultural traditions should be hidden if they make you feel embarrassed.

• Family love and cultural identity are more important than fitting in.

• Traditional customs should be shared with those around you so others may adopt new ways.