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| Name: _________________________ | Period: ___________________ |
This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.
Short Answer Questions
1. Lindo was forced to live with her future in-laws because ______________________________________.
2. The child finally decides to ______________________.
3. The old woman who buys a swan eventually _____________________________.
4. What frightens Jing-mei the most is that _______________________________.
5. Rose's mother recorded Bing's death _______________________.
Short Essay Questions
1. This parable is loaded with symbolism. Since the old woman paid a "foolish sum" for the swan, and then loses it, what might this symbolize?
2. The parable is obviously based on a current-day story in which one of the mothers in the book tries to warn her daughter of her superstitions. Discuss other instances in the book up until this point where mothers feel they know so much more than their daughters.
3. What does Lindo's snuffing the candle out signify?
4. Ying-Ying has remained a frightened child into her adulthood, and now her daughter is forced to live with Ying-Ying's fears. Why is Ying-Ying St. Clair so afraid?
5. Waverly's unusual talent becomes a reason to pamper and spoil her. Does she appreciate this treatment? How does it affect her?
6. Discuss how it is that the Italian girl next door provides a sense of peace for Lena.
7. Jing-Mei Woo's mother and Waverly Jong's mother compete through their daughters' failures and successes. Are the two women friends?
8. How could a woman with twin babies leave them at the side of the road?
9. Why is Bing's name written in erasable pencil in the Bible's Death section?
10. Why would Lindo begin to think of her cruel husband as a god?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Ying-ying St. Clair says that as she gets closer to the end of her life, she is more in touch with the beginning. Her memories of her past are becoming clearer and she has developed an overview of her life's patterns and the problems she was not able to overcome. Old age, if one is lucky enough to get there, is a poignant time of life. Write an essay about your own old age. Imagine your children and grandchildren, but mostly formulate in your mind what your goals and aspirations might be for old age. Will you be satisfied with your life? Will you be healthy and active? How might others see you?
Essay Topic 2
San Francisco's Chinatown has always held a mysterious fascination for tourists and outsiders, perhaps because the Chinese in this area held on to their old customs and did not readily meld with Americans. Research and write about San Francisco's Chinatown, its origins, its development and the present-day culture there.
Essay Topic 3
Determine why An-Mei Hsu named her youngest child Bing, and explore the irony that Tan creates with Bing's death. How is Bing's role related to An-mei's religious beliefs, and what does his death represent?
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This section contains 974 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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