"Two Kinds" Close Read Questions

What is a noun?

A person, place, thing, or idea

What is one meaning for the prefix in-?

"No" or "not"

What is the definition of lamented?

Express sorrow

Why does the narrator continue to choose to disappoint her mother throughout her life?

Failing her mother became a way to show her independence and will.

What is an example of squabbling?

Fighting with your brother or sister about who gets to pick where to go out to dinner

From which point of view is Two Kinds written?

First person, from the daughter's point of view

What explains why the narrator reacts the way she does to her mother's quizzes?

She decides she will not be pushed into becoming a prodigy.

In what ways does the mother pressure the daughter to change?

She pressures her daughter to become a child prodigy (someone with a very special talent). First, she pressures the daughter to become an actress. Next, she pressures her to learn facts in order to appear on television. Then, she pressures her to become an accomplished pianist.

How does the narrator prepare for the talent show?

The practices as little as she can for the talent show. She purposely makes no effort, and because Mr. Chong is deaf and cannot hear how well she is playing, he does not notice.

Why does the mother want her daughter to be like Shirley Temple? (paragraphs 4 and 5)

To her mother, Shirley Temple represents or symbolizes what it means to be "American." For her, having her daughter act like someone who she believes has achieved great success means that she and her daughter will also have success.

What character trait do the daughter and mother share?

stubbornness

What is a common noun?

A common noun is a noun that names a non-specific person, place, thing, activity, or idea and is not capitalized. (cat, store, person)

What is a proper noun?

A proper noun is a noun that names a specific person, place thing, activity, or idea and must be capitalized. (Garfield, Wal-Mart, John Calvin)

What is the theme of Two Kinds?

Accepting oneself can be more important than success.

How do you create a singular possessive noun?

Add an apostrophe s ('s)

How would you describe Auntie Lindo and Amy Tan's mother's relationship?

Auntie Lindo and Amy Tan's mother compete over their children and like to brag about their accomplishments.

What are examples of possessive pronouns?

His, hers, mine, yours

Why might the author have chosen to reveal the contrasting emotions of the narrator? (paragraphs 18 and 19)

In paragraph 18, the narrator still believes she has let her mother down--despite the fact that her mother's expectations are impossibly high. In paragraph 19, the narrator is seeing a new side of herself--and her confidence is growing. This shift shows that the narrator is changing and maturing. She begins to believe in herself. As she defies her mother, she no longer tries so hard to please her.

What is different or unusual about the word "Ni kan?" (paragraphs 4 and 5)

Ni kan is a Chinese term, which the narrator's mother uses several times when she wants her daughter to pay attention to something. It also emphasizes that her mother is a Chinese immigrant.

What is an example of feeling devastated?

No one picks you to join their Capture the Flag team.

"I" is what kind of pronoun?

Personal pronoun

What descriptive words does the author use to show how the narrator's feelings change from positive to negative during the recital?

Positive: beautiful, lovely Negative: wrong, strange, sour

In paragraphs 32 and 33, exclamation points are used. What does this show?

The exclamation points show strong emotions from two strong-willed people (the mother and the daughter). The conversation here is tense, emotional, and heated. They are both shouting.

How does the mother arrange for her daughter to take piano lessons?

The mother exchanges house cleaning services for piano lessons from Mr. Chong, a retired piano teacher who lives in their apartment building.

What happened to the piano at the end of the story?

The mother gives the daughter the old piano. The daughter has it tuned and plays the same song that she played at the talent show.

How would you describe the mother's character? (paragraphs 1 & 2)

The mother has come to America after experiencing great personal loss in China. It seems these losses may have fueled grand expectations for her and her daughter.

Why does the author write that "America was where all my mother's hopes lay?" (paragraph 3)

The mother has developed some irrational beliefs and unproven expectations about her daughter's potential. By adding these details, the author sets the scene for disappointment, and for conflict between mother and daughter.

What happens when the narrator performs at the talent show?

The narrator's piano performance at the recital is terrible, and no one applauds except for Mr. Chong. The daughter expects her mother to be angry because she was so poorly prepared. Instead, the mother shows only a quiet, blank look that said she lost everything.