Question

reading check! \safety of numbers\ by lucy tan (shortened version)
name: darnell james date: 09 - 02 - 25 pc: 10
multiple choice - circle the best answer for each question.

1. what does the mother mean when she says, \like the americans say, safety of numbers\?

a. that studying math will make her daughter successful
b. that being surrounded by friends is safer than being alone
c. that colleges want applicants with strong academic scores and achievements
d. that numbers are easier to understand than words

1. how does the narrators understanding of her mother change after hearing the story about tiananmen square?

a. she realizes her mom only cares about school and doesnt understand her
b. she sees her mom as weak for not attending the protest
c. she begins to understand that her mothers strictness comes from past trauma and fear
d. she decides to ignore her moms rules even more

1. what is the significance of the narrator choosing to leave with cat after the sat?

a. it shows she is giving up on her academic future
b. it represents her rejection of her parents expectations
c. it symbolizes her desire to live without fear and make her own choices
d. it means she no longer respects her mothers sacrifices

1. why does the narrator joke during vocabulary drills and hide sticky notes before her mom comes home?

a. she wants to prove that she doesnt need to study
b. shes trying to rebel against her mothers culture
c. she wants to hold onto her sense of fun and identity while still meeting expectations
d. she is planning to drop out of school

1. what is the main theme of the story?

a. studying hard is always easy and fun.
b. family expectations and understanding each other can be challenging but help us grow.
c. friends are not important in school life
d. only winning tests matters in life.

Explanation:

1. The phrase "safety of numbers" in the context often implies the idea that being with a group (surrounded by friends) is safer than being alone. So the mother means being surrounded by friends is safer than being alone.
2. After hearing the story about Tiananmen Square, the narrator begins to understand the source of her mother's strict - ness as past trauma and fear.
3. Leaving with Cat after the SAT represents the narrator's desire to live without fear and make her own choices, breaking away from the constraints that might have been imposed on her.
4. The narrator jokes during vocabulary drills and hides sticky - notes to hold onto her sense of fun and identity while still meeting her mother's academic expectations.
5. The story explores the challenges of family expectations and the process of understanding each other, which helps in personal growth.

Answer:

1. B. That being surrounded by friends is safer than being alone
2. C. She begins to understand that her mother's strictness comes from past trauma and fear
3. C. It symbolizes her desire to live without fear and make her own choices
4. C. She wants to hold onto her sense of fun and identity while still meeting expectations
5. B. Family expectations and understanding each other can be challenging but help us grow.