Word meanings
What does the word astonished mean in paragraph 6?
greatly surprised.
The author most likely wrote this selection to... describe, convince, explain, or demonstrate? Explain your choice.
Describe.
Which word best describes the tone of paragraph 5? Miserable, cheerful, shocked, or proud? How do you know?
She is miserable. "Despair, Robert grimaced, wanted to disappear".
Describe the figurative language Amy used in paragraph 3. Why did she include this?
Amy uses similes and metaphors to describe the horrific sight of traditional Chinese cuisine.
Why does Amy's mother make a traditional Chinese dinner for her daughter and guests?
P7 - Mom understood it was difficult. She likely made her favorite foods to help Amy build pride and confidence in her heritage.
What does the word despair mean as used in paragraph 5? How do you know?
complete loss or without hope
Why did the author most likely include paragraph 4?
To build suspense as the story gets closer to dinner.
What is the tone of the descriptions in paragraph 3? Why does she describe the food this way?
She is highly embarrassed of her culture and how it compares to American culture. The food is a visual reminder of how un-American she feels which causes her to be miserable.
What can the reader conclude about paragraphs 4, 5, & 6?
As the guests arrive, Amy is more embarrassed during dinner as it shows more and more of their Chinese culture that contrasts the "American" manners of the minister's family.
What does she mean in paragraph 8 by "I was able to fully appreciate her lesson?" What does she learn?
When she got older, she learned to appreciate her family and her Chinese American identity.
What does the word grimaced mean in paragraph 5?
ugly, twisted expression on a person's face, usually disgust or pain.
Why did the author most likely include the details in paragraph 5?
To show how her traditional Chinese family compared to Robert's family with their "American" manners.
How does the narrator's embarrassed attitude towards her culture affect the way the describes events in the passage.
She describes the food as foreign and unappealing, her family as noisy, her family as lacking manners.
What can the reader conclude from the information in paragraph 7?
Amy's mom understands and wants to let her show her "American" side but encourages her to remember and appreciate her Chinese heritage.
Why does Amy's mother give her a beige tweed miniskirt?
P7 - "You want to be the same as American girls on the outside." She's trying to help Amy be comfortable now while trying to help her be proud of who she is on the inside.
What does the word resembled mean in paragraph 3?
qualities or features in common with something else, describing something as looking like something else.
Why does the author include the questions in paragraph 2?
The questions explain Amy's distress and set the mood for the arrival of their dinner guests.
Which sentence shows a change in Amy's tone and mood in the passage?
P8 - It wasn't until many years later -- long after I had gotten over my crush of Robert -- that I was able to fully appreciate her lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu."
Amy compared Robert to "Mary in the manger". What type of figurative language is this and why did she make this comparison?
Mary (as in the mother of Jesus) in the manger is a very "American" way to celebrate Christmas. It is a contrast to her very non-American family and upcoming dinner.
What doe sthe menu description in paragraph 3 reveal about how the narrator views her family's cultural traditions?
She views them as disgusting. Words like "slimy, fleshy, appalling, bulging, rubbery white sponges, resembling bicycle ties."
What does the word appalling mean in paragraph 3?
causing shock or dismay, horrific
Which sentence best illustrates that paragraphs 1-7 were written from the perspective of Amy at the age of 14?
Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence.
How does the narrator's age during the events (14) affect the tone of the essay?
It is embarrassing and unaccepting of who she is. She let another's culture cause her distress. "I pretended he was not worthy of existence." "Threw me deeper into despair." "I wanted to disappear."
(Paragraph 6) "The minister managed to muster up a quiet burp". Why did Amy use alliteration in this sentence?
The repetition of the "M" sound draws attention to the situation. "M" is also a soft sound compared to Amy's father's burp.
At age 14, how does Amy feel about her Chinese culture?
She is highly embarrassed of their food, their customs (burping, table manners), and how loud they are.