"Fish Cheeks"

What is the central conflict of “Fish Cheeks”? What lesson does Tan’s mother teach her?

• a. person vs. person
• b. person vs. self
• c. person vs. nature
• d. person vs. society

How is Tan’s mother indirectly characterized for her Christmas Eve dinner preparation?

• a. She is indirectly characterized as being accommodating and hardworking.
• b. She is indirectly characterized as being controlling and selfish.
• c. She is indirectly characterized as being embarrassing and weird.
• d. She is indirectly characterized as being mischievous and sneaky

What is ironic about Tan’s description of the food her mother cooks for dinner?

• a. Tan writes about how appealing the ingredients look, and the finished recipes are enjoyed.
• b. Tan writes about how appealing the ingredients look, but the finish recipes are gross.
• c. Tan writes about how unappealing the ingredients look, and the finished dishes are gross.
• d. Tan writes about how unappealing the ingredients look, but the finished dishes are enjoyed.

What figurative language device does Tan use to describe the tofu: “Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges”?

• a. metaphor
• b. simile
• c. hyperbole
• d. personification

What is ironic about Tan’s reaction to her father’s offer of fish cheeks?

• a. Tan is mortified by her father’s offer because fish cheeks are disgusting and revolting to all.
• b. Tan is mortified by her father’s offer because he knows that she hates fish cheeks.
• c. Tan is mortified by her father’s offer because he should have offered the fish cheeks to Robert.
• d. Tan is mortified by her father’s offer even though fish cheeks are her favorite.

What can fish cheeks symbolize to Amy and her family?

• a. community, culture, or tradition
• b. diet, nourishment, or nutrition
• c. difference, foreignness, or otherness
• d. power, status, or wealth

What can fish cheeks symbolize to Robert and his family?

• a. community, culture, or tradition
• b. diet, nourishment, or nutrition
• c. difference, foreignness, or otherness
• d. power, status, or wealth

What is ironic about how Tan feels given the setting of it being Christmas Eve?

• a. Christmas Eve is supposed to be a chaotic mess, but Tan feels calm and cool throughout dinner.
• b. Christmas Eve is supposed to be a family affair, but Tan’s parents have invited strangers over.
• c. Christmas Eve is supposed to be a fun celebration, but Tan feels embarrassed and frustrated.
• d. Christmas Eve is supposed to be an embarrassing family event, but Tan is proud of her parents.

What explicit moral or theme does Tan’s mother impart to her?

• a. Assimilate to new cultures and customs.
• b. Be proud of your culture.
• c. Pretend to be what you desire.
• d. You can be whatever you want to be.

What does Tan realize about that Christmas Eve dinner later in life, and what does it mean?

• a. Tan’s mother cooked all her favorite foods, which reveals her love for her culture and daughter.
• b. Tan’s mother cooked all her father’s favorite foods, which reveals her honor to her husband.
• c. Tan’s mother cooked all the minister’s favorite foods, which reveals her secret love for him.
• d. Tan’s mother cooked all of Robert’s favorite foods, which reveals she supports Tan’s crush.