1. When Jing-Mei refuses to practice piano after the talent show, she tells her mother, “Why should I? I’m not” what?
(a) You
(b) Talented
(c) A genius
(d) Your daughter

2. At what time does Jing-Mei have access to Mr. Chong’s piano for her daily practice sessions when she begins studying with him?
(a) 4:00-6:00 p.m.
(b) 2:00-6:00 p.m.
(c) 3:00-5:00 p.m.
(d) 6:00-9:00 p.m.

3. As Jing-Mei walks back to her seat after her performance in the talent show, she overhears a little boy say to his mother, “That was awful.” What does the boy’s mother reply?
(a) Well, she certainly tried
(b) She was wonderful
(c) Shh. She’s right there
(d) She was terrible

4. What is Auntie Lindo’s last name in the story?
(a) Jong
(b) St. Clair
(c) Hsu
(d) Woo

5. What does Jing-Mei’s mother tell her on the phone that she has when offering her the piano for her birthday?
(a) Lots of money
(b) Practiced skill
(c) Children who might want to learn
(d) Natural talent

Short Answer Questions

1. What refers to circular toys that are twirled around the waist, and that some of the children used at the talent show when Jing-Mei made her piano debut?

2. What does Jing-Mei kick under her feet as her mother drags her to the piano for practice after the talent show?

3. What musical term, taught by Mr. Chong to Jing-Mei in their lessons, means pertaining to the highest part in harmonized music?

4. How does Jing-Mei say she felt every time she saw the piano in her parents’ living room at the end of the story?

5. What does Jing-Mei wear in her hair at the talent show?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 299 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)

View a FREE sample