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 the hairstyle that Auntie Yee puts Chen Ling's hair in for the hairdressing ceremony?

2. Why did Auntie Yee feel unsettled in Chapter 5?

3. How long has Mei-li been working at the silk factory?

4. What excuse does Hong give Mei-li about why he wants to stop seeing her?

5. How can Pei tell a good cocoon from a bad one?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Lin decide she must also have a hairdressing ceremony?

2. How does Auntie Yee become a worker for the silk factory?

3. Why does Mei-li feel comforted by the Pearl River?

4. Does Chen Ling have a following of girls at the boarding house?

5. Describe Pei's experience on the boat to Canton with Lin.

6. How does Pei react when her father leaves her at Auntie Yee's house?

7. Who is Sui Ying?

8. Is Mei-li willing to accept her father's choice of a husband for her?

9. Describe the city of Yung Kee.

10. How do the monsoon rains affect the silk girls?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the silk factory and the work that is done there. What is Pei's reaction the first time she sees the silk work? How does she quickly become a valued worker?

Essay Topic 2

How are rituals used in this novel as part of ceremonies? Do they help you understand the Chinese culture of this time period? How so?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of women in Chinese society during this time period. How do the silk women veer from the traditional path for women in this society? What reaction do they get from society in general? Do you see the sisterhood as a positive choice for females? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 846 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample