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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 musical term from the story refers to a composition for one or two instruments, typically comprised of three or four movements in contrasting forms and keys?

2. How does Jing-Mei describe the Schumann piece that she was to play at the talent show?

3. What musical term in the story refers to the sounding of notes in a chord in rapid succession instead of simultaneously?”

4. What does Jing-Mei do with the Chinese silk dresses she finds when sorting through her mother’s things at the end of the story?

5. How do Jing-Mei and her parents travel home after the talent show?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what ways does Suyuan Woo lack in communication with her daughter in the beginning of the story?

2. What performer fascinates Suyuan Woo while watching the Ed Sullivan Show early in the story? How does Jing-Mei respond?

3. In what ways can the reader see early in the story that Jing-Mei’s ambitions (and her mother’s) are misplaced?

4. What happens when Suyuan Woo quizzes her daughter on country capitals? What other activities does she test out on Jing-Mei when she is young?

5. What do the Schumann songs at the end of the story represent symbolically?

6. How does Jing-Mei describe Mr. Chong when she begins piano lessons with him? What does she secretly nickname him?

7. How do the subjects and themes in Amy Tan’s works relate to those of other Asian American authors?

8. How does Jing-Mei’s mother look after her performance at the talent show? What does Jing-Mei think as she watches the following performances?

9. How did critics receive The Joy Luck Club and “Two Kinds” upon publication?

10. What child star does Suyuan Woo attempt to mold her daughter into? What happens with this attempt?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the theme of the American Dream in “Two Kinds.” How does the theme manifest in the story? How does this theme relate to the character of Suyuan Woo? What symbolism is used in the narrative to reinforce this theme?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the character of Mr. Chong in “Two Kinds.” What was Mr. Chong’s profession prior to his retirement? How old does Jing-Mei perceive Mr. Chong to be? Where does Mr. Chong live? How does Mr. Chong relate to Jing-Mei?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Jing-Mei’s visit to the beauty salon and the actions that take place in this setting. Where is the Mission district? Why does Jing-Mei’s mother take her there to have her hair done? What are her expectations for the hairdo, and what are the results?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 975 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample