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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the housing project which is next to the school where Leila works?

2. Nina decides to take on a job of leading tours in _______, a place she has never seen.

3. What is the nickname that Zeke has gotten after hanging out at his uncle's 76 station?

4. Mason says that __________ is too much like Leon, keeping everything, remembering everything.

5. Who is Leila's favorite of all of Leon's fleabag friends, so she seeks him out to find Leon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Leon have to do in order to gain entry into the United States, according to the story Leila has heard 90 times?

2. Why did Nina decide to quit her past job as a flight attendant, according to the story?

3. What is Zeke so excited about when he pulls up in the white Mercedes where Mason works?

4. What is the one thing that Leon can not document when he is at the Social Security office because he has had so many aliases?

5. Who is You Thin Toy, Leila's favorite of all of Leon's fleabag friends?

6. What does Mah want Leila to do when Leila calls to check up on Mah?

7. Why does Leon tend to keep old things, even if they are not useful anymore?

8. Why does Leon let Leila take him to him to sign up for Social Security at the start of this chapter?

9. What just happened which gives the local Chinatown gossips another thing to talk about?

10. What does Leon ask Mason to do after Leon has taken two buses to get to Jorge's parking lot?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of becoming more American is one that continues throughout this story - sometimes looked at in a positive way, sometimes in a negative way.

Part 1: Why do you think that characters often want to become more Americanized?

Part 2: Why are some more modernized characters chastised for becoming less Chinese in their actions and behaviors?

Part 3: Do you think it's a positive thing for the American culture and its ideals to become so pervasive? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The battle of immigrants and those who wish to insult their race can be another constant strain on everyday life.

Part 1: Why do you think that racism still exists in the world today?

Part 2: How would you handle someone talking ill of another person of a difference race or background?

Part 3: Is racism ever legitimate? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Leila seems to be the character who gets put into the middle of a number of situations in the story.

Part 1: Why do you think that Leila is often put into the middle of situations within this story?

Part 2: Is there another character in the story who might be a better mediator? Why or why not?

Part 3: Why is Leila resentful of being the one who has to mediate some situations?

(see the answer keys)

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