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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. Where does Leila go in order to watch kites, sailboats, and Alcatraz?

2. What is the name of the television show that Leon and Mah and the girls used to watch sometimes during dinner?

3. Tommie was a nervous wreck as he watched the sewing ladies on long ___________ breaks.

4. ______________ doubts that Mah will want to go back to Hong Kong after being away for 25 years.

5. Leon has told Leila how he is ___________ away his life and losing his dream.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Leon want to have a fancy Chinese wake for Ona after her suicide, though Nina suggests a simple cremation?

2. What does Mah want to do in order to prepare herself for the homecoming of Leon?

3. Things have changed after the affair. What are Leon and Mah like after the affair with Tommie Hom?

4. What are some of the things Leila does that makes Mason feel bothered, according to this chapter?

5. What does Mah do when Nina decides to bring the urn with Ona's ashes to Baby Clothes?

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

7. Why don't the sewing women play music when they are working in the sweatshop together?

8. What do the sewing ladies do for Mah and the rest of the family after the death of Ona?

9. What does ten-year-old Ona do in order to get Leon to come back home after hearing about the affair?

10. Why did Leila have to translate between Leon and a Woolworth's manager when Ona was eight or nine?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The struggle between the 'normal' culture and the Chinese culture is seen throughout the novel.

Part 1: Why do you think that modern culture has trouble accepting foreigners?

Part 2: Do you think it's fair to try to push one culture into behaving in a certain way? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think that differing cultures can coexist peacefully and without conflict? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of the bones being the reason for the bad luck in the novel is one that seems silly to some readers. But is it?

Part 1: Do you believe in the idea of luck and of bad luck? Why or why not?

Part 2: Why do you think the bones are so important to the luck of the family?

Part 3: Why do you think that the bones were not handled in the way they were supposed to be handled?

(see the answer keys)

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