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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. Mah makes no secret of the fact that she married Leon for _________________.

2. What has Mah brought for Leon as a present after her trip to Hong Kong?

3. What is the celebration which is taking place all too soon after the death of Ona?

4. The women at the factory are working hard as the ___________ is easy for them to make and it pays well.

5. Leon admits that he misses Mah's __________ and that he does not like his life without her in it.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the only thing Nina asks Leila to do in order to handle Mah's trip to Hong Kong?

2. What has Leila prepared for the afternoon art class in the classroom where she is teaching?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The suicide in this novel seems to be the one event which pulls everyone together, while at the same time driving them all apart.

Part 1: Why do you think the suicide affects Leon in the way it does?

Part 2: How do you think Leila has been changed by the suicide of Ona?

Part 3: Why do you think Ona decided to kill herself?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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