Quiz #1 Chinese Cinderella

1.

Adeline Yen was the fifth child in the family and was often called "______ Mei".

Explanation
Adeline was the fifth child in the family and was often called "Wu Mei" which means Fifth Younger Sister or Fifth Daughter. Although she could also be addressed as "Wu Jie" by younger siblings, she wasn't addressed often as that.

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2.

Why did Adeline step back into the storm to walk into her house despite being driven for most of the way home by Dr Wu?

A.

She thought it was fun to walk in a big storm, as it seemed like a great adventure.
B.

She felt she needed to keep up appearances.
C.

She was loyal, believed in fair play and had a sense of obligation.
D.

She was terrified of accepting a lift.

Correct Answer
B. She felt she needed to keep up appearances.

Explanation
Walking in the big storm like it was a great adventure was an excuse to Dr Wu and her friend, Chun Mei, to cover the truth that she needed to pretend that she came from a loving family.

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3.

On page 65 of the book, Third Brother mentioned his motto to Adeline to "be a cold fish". What does being a "cold fish" mean?

A.

Not trusting anyone
B.

Not getting involved in any issues
C.

Not hurting anyone
D.

Not being hurt by anyone

Correct Answer(s)
A. Not trusting anyone
B. Not getting involved in any issues
C. Not hurting anyone
D. Not being hurt by anyone

Explanation
To Third Brother, being a cold fish meant not trusting anyone, and not to get involved in any issue or situation. He does not intentionally hurt anyone and thus no one will hurt him as well.

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4.

Why were Niang, Fourth Brother and Adeline let into the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea so quickly despite the long line of customers?

A.

They had waited for half an hour and it was their turn.
B.

Fourth Brother had started throwing a tantrum and the captain reluctantly let the party in.
C.

The captain was impressed with Niang's French designer suit, alligator handbag, matching shoes and seven-carat diamond ring.
D.

Niang proclaimed that she was an European and since white people took precedence over the Chinese population, they were let in.

Correct Answer
D. Niang proclaimed that she was an European and since white people took precedence over the Chinese population, they were let in.

Explanation
It was the norm then for the Europeans to get preferential treatment. Although the captain might have been impressed with Niang's dressing, it would not have been possible to give her preferential treatment based on her dressing alone. The first two reasons were made up. It did not happen in the book.

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5.

This extract depicts a conversation between Big Sister and Niang on her wedding day, after Big Sister realised that her secret of keeping the jade pendant to Great Aunt has been accidentally discovered by Niang. "In a tone full of regret and self-approach, Big Sister was confessing about "something on her conscience" which did not permit her to remain silent any longer. Although Aunt Baba had sworn her to secrecy and advised her not to reveal to Niang Great Aunt's wedding gift of a jade pendant, she had decided to ignore Baba's instructions because our aunt was being selfish and dishonest. Besides, the piece of jade would be a perfect match for Niang's favourite jade ring, and she begged Niang to accept it. In one stroke, Big Sister had endeared herself to Niang while simultaneously denouncing Aunt Baba. Touched by Big Sister's honesty and generosity, Niang immediately allowed her to keep the jade pendant. Promising to be forever loyal to Niang regardless of Baba's sedition, Big Sister swore Niang to secrecy, thus remaining in the good graces of both while driving the wedge even deeper between Niang and Aunt Baba. She then left on her honeymoon in an excellent mood, wearing her beautiful jade with a clear conscience." What does this extract tell you about Big Sister's character? Check the boxes that apply.

A.

Honest
B.

Generous
C.

Cunning
D.

Selfish
E.

Dishonest
F.

Loyal to Niang and Aunt Baba

Correct Answer(s)
C. Cunning
D. Selfish
E. Dishonest

Explanation
Big Sister was dishonest. She lied that it is Aunt Baba that told her not to reveal it to Niang when instead it was Big Sister herself that begged Adeline and Aunt Baba not to reveal it to anyone else.

Although her act was presenting the gift to Niang might seem generous, it was not genuine. She had intended to keep the pendant for herself, She only pretended to want to give the pendant to Niang in order to endear herself to Niang. In that sense, she was very cunning to manipulate the situation to her benefit.

She was selfish as she made Aunt Baba seem selfish and dishonest in order to make herself seem honest and generous in front of Niang.

She was loyal only to Niang and not to Aunt Baba.

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6.

Why did Adeline receive an egg for a particular Sunday breakfast at school?

A.

Aunt Baba secretly brought an egg to school for Adeline while out on an errand.
B.

It was a cruel practical joke by one of the students.
C.

Eleanor changed the number of her egg to Adeline's, thinking that Adeline might like it.
D.

It was mistakenly marked with Adeline's number.

Correct Answer
C. Eleanor changed the number of her egg to Adeline's, thinking that Adeline might like it.

Explanation
Eleanor changed the number of her egg to Adeline's intentionally because Eleanor hated runny eggs as it reminded her of snot. It wasn't a cruel practical joke as Eleanor initially thought that Adeline might get a kick out of having her number called. Aunt Baba never brought any eggs to school for Adeline. Eggs were never prizes nor rewards for leading the class in test results.

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7.

Why did Adeline remind Aunt Baba of Ye Xian, the Chinese Cinderella?

A.

Both are physcially very beautiful
B.

Both were treated unfairly by their stepmothers
C.

Both have defied the odds and garnered triumph through their own efforts
D.

Both went to a festival and met someone of great importance

Correct Answer(s)
B. Both were treated unfairly by their stepmothers
C. Both have defied the odds and garnered triumph through their own efforts

Explanation
While Ye Xian's beauty was striking enough to be noticed by the warlord, the book does not emphasise Adeline's physical beauty.

Unlike Ye Xian, Adeline did not go to a festival nor met anyone of great importance there.

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8.

Why did Niang beat Little Sister on page 34?

A.

Little Sister disobeyed Niang in front of the family, causing her to be humiliated.
B.

Niang's pearl necklace broke.
C.

None of the above.
D.

All of the above

Correct Answer
D. All of the above

Explanation
Little Sister publicly disobeyed Niang in front of the whole family. In the screaming scuffle, Niang's pearl necklace broke. This added to her exasperation and she gave in by beating Little Sister.

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9.

How did Adeline win the International Play-Writing Competition?

A.

There were no other competitors.
B.

She put in a lot of hard work and had a talent in creative writing.
C.

She was the only one dedicated enough to understand the complicated rules and regulations.
D.

She was the only one determined enough to enter the competition from her school.

Correct Answer
B. She put in a lot of hard work and had a talent in creative writing.

Explanation
Adeline worked very hard on her play. What began as a diversion from loneliness and boredom became a passion for her as she invests her own feelings of loneliness, isolation and a feeling of being unwanted. She had a talent in creative writing as seen in her previous written work being praised by both the nuns and the students.

The other reasons were reasons that Adeline gave to her Father that seemed modest.

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