The Jade Peony (p. 13)
sombre
ostensible
diminutive
precarious
impeccable
lament (v)
dissension
reprieve
abomination
pantomime
On each short line, write the word that is defined. On each long line, write a
sentence in which you properly use the word.
1. Without defect or error; faultless. ________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. A drama without words, using actions and gestures. _______________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. A cause of disgust or abhorrence. _________________________
_________________________________________________________
4. Very small. ____________________
_________________________________________________________
5. Difference of opinion; disagreement. __________________________
_________________________________________________________
6. To postpone; to give a period of rest. __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. Apparent; seeming; pretended. _________________________
_________________________________________________________
8. Dependent on chance; insecure; dangerous. ______________________
_________________________________________________________
9. Dark, gloomy, or dull. ____________________
_________________________________________________________
10. To feel or express deep sorrow; to mourn. ______________________
_________________________________________________________
The Jade Peony (p. 13)
1. a) What do the narrator’s father and step-mother seek when Grandmama
dies? Why?
b) Why are the narrator’s older sister and brothers embarrassed by this
search?
2. Why does the narrator have a special relationship with his grandmother?
3. a) For what reasons is the juggler important?
b) What happened to the wind chime with the jade peony? What remains
of it?
4. a) Why does the fact that Grandmama makes chimes cause problems in
the family?
b) How do Grandmama and Sek-Lung (the narrator) get around this
problem?
6. For what reason is Sek-Lung kept home from school?
7. Give an example of simile from p. 18.
8. “The colour was magical for her.” (top of pl 19) Which colour?
9. Based on Grandmama’s description of the juggler’s colouring, what was
he?
10. What is significant about the colour of the cat’s fur and eyes? Why does
Grandmama say, “That was not a cat.” (bottom of p. 19)?
11. How does the end of the story tie in with the beginning of the story?
12. Sketch a plot graph for “The Jade Peony”.
13. a) What would you say is the atmosphere of this story?
b) Provide one quotation from the story for each of the following
elements: character, mood, and dialogue. Briefly explain how each of
your quotations supports the atmosphere you’ve specified in part a).
Criteria
Thinking
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Students showed
little thought in
their writing about
the short story.
Students were able
illustrate some
thinking and
inquiry in
reference to the
short story
Student showed
some critical
thinking and
inquiry in
reference to the
topics of the short
story.
Students answered
the questions with
little error in
spelling and
grammar.
Student showed
critical thinking,
inquiry around the
topics of the short
story.
Communication Student’s writing
-Grammar
-Spelling
Application
-Writing
Knowledge
-Definitions
-Literary Terms
was difficult to
read. Problems in
their writing
including grammar
and or spelling.
The overall
answers were too
short and or were
incorrect.
Students were not
able to illustrate
their knowledge of
definitions and or
literary terms.
Students had some
problems with
their writing that
may have included
grammar and or
spelling.
The overall
answers to the
short story
questions were
brief and or had
errors.
Students showed
some knowledge
of definitions and
or literary terms.
Students answered
the questions fully
and correctly.
Students showed
good knowledge of
definitions and or
literary terms.
Students showed
great skill in
answering the
questions using
proper grammar
and spelling.
Students answered
the questions with
skill and full effort.
They were also all
answered
correctly.
Students showed
full knowledge of
definitions and or
literary terms.