Rules of the Game by Amy Tan High

Rules of the Game by Amy Tan High Order Thinking Skills Questions

Inferring Why did Waverly ask her mother about Chinese torture?

Mrs. Jong was hurting her daughter while combing her hair. Waverly said she had a sly thought and asked her mother about Chinese torture. We can understand that since she was educated in the Chinese way, she couldn’t be disrespectful and tell her mother that she was hurting her. So by asking about Chinese torture she was implying that her mother was hurting her. However, her mother doesn’t understand the hint.

Compare and Contrast Waverly and her mother are alike. Do you agree? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Waverly and her mother are alike. Both are strong willed and stubborn. For example: Waverly is determined to learn how to play chess and uses all means to do so. In a similar way, Mrs. Jong insists on teaching her daughter the art of invisible strength. Both are intelligent and clever. For example: Waverly shows wisdom when convincing her brothers to teach her how to play. The mother uses old Chinese wisdom to educate her children.

Waverly and her mother are different. Mrs. Jong believes in the old Chinese values of humility, loyalty to the family, obedience and respect for your elders. Whereas, Waverly has become disobedient, Americanized and rebellious. Mrs. Jong seems to be superstitious and believes in luck (the red jade). While Waverly believes in learning strategies, patience and seeing the end of the game even before it starts.

Cause and effect The art of the invisible strength helped Waverly win chess games. How did it affect other aspects of Waverly’s life? Support your answer by giving examples.

Waverly understood that in order to achieve anything, she had to use self control, not to reveal what she was really thinking or feeling and to use tactics. When Waverly wanted the salty plums, she bit back her tongue. As a result, Mrs. Jong bought them for her.

Distinguishing Different Perspectives Waverly views her mother as her opponent. Explain why? Support your answer with examples from the text.

Waverly and her mother look at Waverly’s success at chess differently. As Waverly becomes a better chess player, she sees it as a way to assert her independence. However, her mother sees it as a way to bring honor to the family and this is why she brags about Waverly. Their different attitudes towards Waverly’s success cause Waverly to see her mother as her rival.