View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is supposedly the cause of the "Mongolian spot" on some Chinese babies?

2. What technology changes the way the Central Pacific Railroad tunnels through mountains in the Sierra Nevada?

3. How does Kingston show that the main character is enjoying his feast with the woman of the house in "The Ghostmate"?

4. Who is Chan Moong Gut in "The Great Grandfather of the Sandalwood Mountains"?

5. Which tax is enforced on Chinese immigrants living in California in order to pay for the extra policing their presence requires?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose for making Tang Ao's capture so easy it could be done by women?

2. At the end of the "The Laws," Kingston predicts that the 1980 census may show that a million or more ethnic Chinese will be living in the United States. Why does she have to predict the census numbers?

3. Why does Kingston say that MaMa's arrival ends Ed's independent life?

4. What is the significance of the long path that leads to the widow's house in "The Ghostmate"?

5. What explanation does the tale of Tu Tzu-chun give for the "Mongolian spot" in "On Mortality?"

6. How do the Chinese workers organize a strike against the railroad company without the "white demons" finding out?

7. Evaluate the methods Kingston uses to reveal the passage of time while Ah Goong is working in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

8. Tell what the Four Valuable Things are and explain their importance to the Chinese culture.

9. Explain how the author of "The Ghostmate" cues the reader that the main character represents any China Man in their youth.

10. Explain the cause for the children's confusion and its effects on the characters in "On Fathers."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify times in Kingston's novel, China Men, when a character's expectations about Gold Mountain are not met. Compare and contrast characters' expectations with the reality they experience in America. Consider the plight of the Sojourners. Why do so many return to China? Why do some stay in America, leaving their families behind in a hostile China?

Essay Topic 2

Tell about the evolution of Kingston's Chinese family from one that practices solely Chinese customs to one practicing Americanized customs. For example, how many generations pass before Kingston's family evolves from adhering to arranged marriages to its first self-selected marriage. Discuss the reluctance of Kingston's Mother to let go of her Chinese traditions or superstitions. Describe the condition of the Chinese American in California with family still living in China.

Essay Topic 3

Identify the folktales Kingston uses throughout China Men. For each one, describe how it is used to move along the plot in Kingston's novel. Study the Table of Contents to see where and how often the alternative genre is used. Do the tales foreshadow upcoming events? Do the fantasy stories serve to illustrate key points the author is trying to convey? Display your responses in a creative way that connects the ideas and patterns you discovered.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,281 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample