Everything I Never Told You, Chapters 1-4: Comprehension Review

How does James’s experience growing up as a Chinese American influence his parenting style?

• He encourages his children to embrace their heritage.

• He wants his children to blend in and be popular.

• He insists they only befriend other Chinese Americans.

• He discourages them from pursuing higher education.

What role does Nath play in Lydia’s life, and how does he react to her disappearance?

• He is indifferent to her and ignores her disappearance.

• He is her closest sibling and becomes suspicious about her death.

• He bullies her and is secretly glad she is missing.

• He never had a close relationship with her and moves on quickly.

How does the novel use flashbacks to reveal Lydia’s relationships with her parents?

• By showing only her happiest memories.

• By revealing past conflicts and parental expectations.

• By focusing on her friendships rather than family life.

• By telling the story in chronological order without flashbacks.

What significance does the lake hold for Lydia and her family?

• It is where they vacation every summer.

• It is a place of relaxation and happiness.

• It is connected to past tragedies and fears.

• It has no special meaning in the story.

Why does Marilyn leave her family for a period of time, and how does this affect Lydia?

• She goes to visit her sick mother, and Lydia becomes independent.

• She pursues her dream of becoming a doctor, and Lydia feels abandoned.

• She moves to another city for work, and Lydia resents her.

• She leaves due to an affair, and Lydia is relieved.

How does the novel’s opening line, “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet,” impact the reader’s understanding of the story?

• It sets up a mystery and foreshadows tragedy.

• It suggests that Lydia will come back to life.

• It implies that Lydia was never real.

• It makes the novel a comedy.

Nath plays a significant role in Lydia’s life, and he reacts to her disappearance by:

• searching for her tirelessly

• ignoring the situation

• blaming himself

• moving on quickly

The lake holds significance for Lydia and her family because:

• It is a place where they spend their summers together.

• It is where Lydia learned to swim.

• It is a family tradition to visit the lake every year.

• It is where Lydia's parents first met.

What themes are beginning to emerge in these early chapters regarding family, identity, and societal expectations?

• Family dynamics and identity struggles

• Societal expectations and personal freedom

• Cultural heritage and generational conflict

• All of the above

The beginning of the book sets up a mystery and foreshadows tragedy by:

• Introducing an enigmatic character

• Describing a foreboding setting

• Presenting an unsolved crime

• All of the above