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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 does the first weekly resident at the motel tell Mia about Mr. Yao?

2. Who asks for a wake-up call in Chapter 5?

3. How much does a room at the Calivista for one night cost?

4. What kind of tea did Mia's parents bring from China for special occasions?

5. What instrument does Mia play?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens that causes a great stir at the motel in Chapter 21?

2. What happens when Mr. Yao makes Jason work at the front desk for a while?

3. In Chapter 9, what event provides an unexpected moment of joy for Mia and her family?

4. What do Mia's interactions with the police in Chapter 21 make her realize?

5. What is Mia's mother's tradition of "taking a picture" at happy or significant moments?

6. What do Mia's parents only use on special occasions, either for joy or distress, from China?

7. Why does Mia's mother get fired from her job at the Chinese restaurant in Part I?

8. What act of kindness and generosity does Mia do for Uncle Li in Chapter 16?

9. Why do Mia's parents refuse to let her help them clean at the motel?

10. What conclusion does Mia come to about the profitability of the Calivista Motel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are some of the circumstances and events that lead to Mia's parents never being able to save money while they are managing the Calivista Motel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

When and how do Mia and her family first begin to get a sense of why other people have only poor things to say about Mr. Yao, their boss and the owner of the Calivista Motel? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Mia keep her tip jar at the Calivista a secret from her parents? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text.

(see the answer keys)

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