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

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?

3. How many sons does Auntie Lindo have in the story?

4. What is Auntie Lindo’s husband’s name?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jing-Mei describe her life as she passed from childhood to adulthood? In what ways does she say she disappointed her mother?

2. What does Jing-Mei say to her mother to hurt her during their conflict in the climax of the story? How does Suyuan respond?

3. How does Jing-Mei describe Waverly Jong in the narrative? What has Waverly gained recognition through?

4. How does Suyuan Woo go about discovering her daughter’s “genius” in the beginning of the story?

5. How do Jing-Mei’s feelings about her mother’s ambitions begin to change early in the story? What causes her feelings to change?

6. How does Jing-Mei describe the piano at her parents’ house when she returns following her mother’s death?

7. What does Jing-Mei discover about playing the piano as she begins her studies with Mr. Chong?

8. What does Jing-Mei overhear her mother saying about her to Auntie Lindo midway through the story?

9. What innovations in literary style is Amy Tan known for?

10. How does Suyuan Woo develop and maintain her sense of identity in the story?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the character of Lindo Jong in “Two Kinds.” How well do Jing-Mei and her mother know Lindo? What kind of relationship does Suyuan Woo have with this friend? How do the Woos feel about the Jong family?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 858 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample