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Worksheets"Fish Cheeks" Narrative Analysis
Total questions: 14
Worksheet time: 7mins
I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. 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.
Based on the pronouns used, what is the story’s Point of View?
First Person
Third Person
I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. 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.
In this excerpt, the author mainly characterizes Robert by ...
describing what he says
describing how what he thinks
describing his actions
describing his appearance / looks
I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. 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.
Based on what Amy is praying for, the reader can infer …
Amy does not like living in America
Amy is unhappy with her looks
When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.
In this excerpt, the author mainly characterizes Amy by ...
describing how she looks
describing what she thinks
describing what she does - her actions
describing how others react to her
When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.
Based on this text evidence, we can conclude that Amy is ...
Mysterious
Emotional
Curious
Spiteful
When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried.
What is the story’s conflict?
Amy is angry her mother did not get her the miniskirt she asked for
Robert is rude to Amy's family at dinner
Amy is embarrassed because she knows the guests won't understand her family's culture
It's Christmas and Amy doesn't know what present to buy for her crush Robert
What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? What terrible disappointment would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet potatoes but Chinese food?
In this excerpt, the author mainly characterizes Amy by ...
Describing how she looks
Describing what she says
Describing her thoughts
Describing her actions
What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? What terrible disappointment would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet potatoes but Chinese food?
Based on this text evidence, we can conclude that Amy is ...
Self-assured
Anxious
Curious
Angry
And then they arrived — the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages.
What is the story’s setting?
The church hall
The Minister's house
A Chinese Restaurant
Amy's home
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.
In this excerpt, the author contrasts Robert and Amy’s families by ...
Describing what they say
Describing their actions - what they do
Describing their thoughts
After everyone had gone, my mother said to me, “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside.” She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige tweed. “But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.”
In this passage, the author characterizes Amy’s mother by ...
Describing what she says
Describing her looks / appearance
Describing how other people react to her
After everyone had gone, my mother said to me, “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside.” She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige tweed. “But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.”
This text evidence, supports that Amy's mother is all of the following EXCEPT ...
Thoughtful
Understanding
Uncaring
Self-assured
After everyone had gone, my mother said to me, “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside.” She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige tweed. “But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.”
When Amy’s mother gives her the miniskirt, it shows that …
She doesn't tolerate Amy's desire to be American. She thinks Amy should only identify as Chinese.
She understands Amy's desire to fit in and wants to help, but, at the same time, she wants her daughter to remain true to her heritage.
It wasn’t until many years later — long after I had gotten over my crush on Robert — that I was able to fully appreciate her lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu. For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods.
The lesson that Amy's mother wants her to learn is probably the same lesson the author wants us to learn. What is the story’s theme?
Alter your behavior to make guests feel more comfortable in your home.
Christmas should be a holiday for family alone.
Don't belch at the table.
Remain true to yourself even when people don't understand.
