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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. Leon wonders whether Ona was _________ or whether she was given drugs to cause her to jump.

2. Nina complains that ____________ is not doing her share of the work at the laundry business.

3. Mah has no time for lunch and shows Leila how to install _____________ in the design.

4. The early years of Salmon Alley are a time of getting along by the ____________ virtues of loyalty, endurance, and hope.

5. What does Mason assign Nina to do in order to prevent a fight between the two sisters from getting too heated?

Short Essay Questions

1. Ona decides to jump from the 13th floor of the building, which confuses Leila. What is the meaning of the number 13?

2. Leila wonders why Mason does not introduce her to his family. What is the reason?

3. Why does Mah believe that Lyman will make good on his promise and send for her?

4. After Mah finds a new job at Ching's, Leon goes away to a trip on the sea to Australia. What happens to Mah's job when he is away?

5. What does a teacher's aide tell Leila about Leon after he walks out on Mah during a discussion about Ona's ashes?

6. To what does Leila compare the feeling of time rushing forward and then snapping still?

7. What does Leila recall about a bathroom stall where she goes after hearing the news about the suicide of Ona?

8. Who does Leon blame for the death of Ona and for his overall discontent with life in this chapter?

9. Why does Leon want to tell everyone about the death of Ona in Chinatown?

10. What is the argument between Leon and Mah regarding the ashes of Ona after her death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The responsibility on Leila's shoulders to take care of her family must be enormous. Often, she is put in the middle and made to make decisions that might not make everyone happy.

Part 1: Do you think it's fair for a child to take on the responsibilities of their parents? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think children are often looked to for leadership as parents age?

Part 3: Do Leon and Mah seem to be willing to help themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

While the characters are struggling to find their own identities, it seems that many secrets are being held which are only making it more difficult to keep the family together.

Part 1: Why do you think Leila finds it so difficult to tell others about her elopement?

Part 2: Why do you think the characters in this story feel they need to keep secrets from each other?

Part 3: How is the Chinese culture supporting the keeping of secrets within families and from the outside world?

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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