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ABC Chapter Questions
Directions: Write the answer to the chapter questions on a sheet of lined
paper. All answers should be in complete sentences! (practice good writing
habits)
Chapter One: Myths: Stories that explain natural events or human behavior.
1. Chapter One features the first part of an ancient Chinese myth about the Monkey
King. What could this myth be telling us? (What could the Monkey King represent?
He wants acceptance and because of that he needed to change what he was
2. What about the fact that the Monkey King was not welcomed to the dinner party?)
No matter how hard he tried to change he would never be accepted
3. What does it mean when the Monkey King could finally smell his own monkey fur?
He is unhappy with himself and wants to change
4. What could this myth be foreshadowing?
A series of changes that the Monkey King will go through to denounce the fact that he is
a monkey
Chapter 2: Parables: Stories that teach a lesson.
1. What does the boy do in the parable?
That your environment will sometimes dictate change
2. Jin was born and raised in America but his teacher thinks he’s from China. What
does this say about his teacher?
Stereotyping Jin and feeding into the negative stereotypes the kids in class have
3. The school Jin is attending is the Mayflower School. What’s significant about this
name?
It is the name of the boat that the pilgrims came over on – they were all immigrants - the
US is a nation of immigrants.
4. Why do you think Jin and Suzy Nakamura avoided each other?
Kids were saying that they were arranged to be married on her 13th Birthday
5. Is Jin accepted by his classmates? Explain.
Not accepted – they take his lunch call him names
6. Why do you think Jin doesn’t want to be friends with the new Asian student?
Wei Chen represents all the things that Jin wants to avoid or move away from
Chapter 3:
1. What is a stereotype?
Judging someone or a group based on a single characteristic
2. Notice Chin Kee’s luggage (p. 48). How does this image mock Chin Kee?
Chinese takeout boxes – Stereotypical packaging for Chinese food – shows that this is
how some people view or judge Chinese people
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3. Why do you think Danny is so embarrassed by his cousin?
His appearance, speech, very forward and brazen
Chapter 4
1. The Monkey King ordered that all monkeys must wear shoes. Why does he do this?
Is this a good thing for the monkeys?
That was the excuse that the gods used for not allowing him into the party. It was more
about the fact that he was a monkey not really about the fact that he was not wearing
shoes. Shoes might be good for acculturation reasons yet bad because they would limit
their mobility as a monkey.
2. The Monkey King then studies and learns many skills that make him invincible and
allow him to take many shapes. How is this like the transformer toy?
He is changing into what is necessary at the moment
3. What did the pillars turn out to be?
Tze-Yo-Tzuh’s hand – shows that the monkey king has been in his hand the whole time
Chapter 5
1. Look at the picture of Amelia Harris on page 87. Compare that to the picture of
Melanie on page 45.
Both are similar – both quiet, seem to like Jin and Danny but there are obstacles in the
way, Melanie seems a little edgier
2. Look at the picture of Jin in the last panel on page 88. Compare that to the picture of
Danny in the second panel on page 45.
Both drooling, eyes change shape to signify they are both daydreaming about someone
– same emotion
3. How do Jin, Wei and Suzy know that they are not really accepted in school?
No one talks to them, people are polite to them but not overly friendly to them
Chapter 6
1. Who knows all the answers in school? How is this stereotype?
Chin Kee – the stereotype is that all Asians are smart
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2. Who starts talking with Danny? How is he a stereotype?
Basketball player – Steve. Tall, strong, stereotypical jock
3. What happens between Danny and Melanie?
She just wants to be friends
4. What does she notice about him?
That he has buck teeth – sterotype that Chin Kee has
Chapter 7
1. Wong Lai-Tsao must recruit the Monkey King as a disciple. How is the Monkey King
freed from the rock he is buried under?
He goes back to his true form - monkey
2. Wong says, “To find your true identity is the highest of all freedoms.” What does this
mean and how can it be true? And how could it apply to Jin?
Being yourself is freedom – you do not have to hide who you are. Jin tried to
be someone he is not comfortable trying to be. Caused him many problems in
the long run
Chapter 8
1. What are Jin’s parent’s rules for dating?
Can’t date until he has a master’s degree
2. Jin asks Wei-Chen to lie for him. Does Wei-Chen agree to do this?
Yes – because he is his friend although he does not feel comfortable doing it.
3. Wei-Chen tells Jin that they’re blood brothers and this angers Jin. Why? What does
he tell Wei-Chen? Why does this sound familiar?
Jin does not want to be associated with that part of himself (Asian) He tells
Wei- Chen that he is fresh off the boat
4. Who did Jin become?
Danny
Chapter 9
1. Danny (who we now know is really Jin), tries to get rid of Chin Kee. Psychologically,
who is Jin really trying to get rid of?
Himself – (his culture)
2. Danny and Chin Kee get into a fight. Chin Kee has many moves. What character
from the book does his fighting style remind you of?
The monkey King
3. How did Wei-Chen fail his test?
He didn’t want to serve the humans he wanted to take advantage of them
4. Why does Wei-Chen despise humans now?
They are liars, cheaters and have many vices
5. What do you think the relationship will be between Jin and Wei-Chen?
May take time to earn trust but maybe they will eventually become friends
again