View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How is the ghost that sits on top of Maxine's mother described?

2. In what city does Brave Orchid wait for Moon Orchid to arrive from China?

3. When was Maxine born?

4. Why was Moon Orchid finally able to come to the United States?

5. Where does Moon Orchid live after she sees her husband again?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A significant portion of this novel deals with storytelling and ghost stories, many of which are told by the narrator's mother. Choose and answer two of the following questions.

1) Do you think the narrator's mother's stories are mostly true? Explain why or why not using specific examples.

2) Why does the narrator's mother tell these stories? Do you think she achieves her purpose in telling them?

3) Which of these stories is your favorite? Explain why or why not. The story you choose must be one the narrator's mother tells, and must not be one you use to answer the other question you choose.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the narrator's relationship with the quiet girl at school, particularly their interactions. Why do you think the narrator picks on the quiet girl? What do the narrator's actions reveal about her upbringing and her opinions about herself?

Essay Topic 3

Moon Orchid and Brave Orchid reunite after spending many years on different continents. Explain how the sisters feel about one another using examples.

Part 1) What does Moon Orchid think about Brave Orchid's new life in America?

Part 2) How does Brave Orchid try to help Moon Orchid adjust to America?

Part 3) Do you think the sisters get along? Explain why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 343 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample