Questions and Answers
Who is the author of the book Front Desk?
Kelly Yang
From what country do Mia and her family immigrate?
China
What is the name of the motel owner?
Mr. Yao
What sign does the Tang family put on the front desk when Mr. Yao is at the motel?
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What is the name of Mia's best friend?
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What do Mia and her father do with the money they earn from recycling each Sunday?
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What does Mia's mom pretend to do during important moments?
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What does the Yang family say when posing for a picture?
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Who are the two customers Mia's family had to refund their money to?
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How many schools had Mia gone to in five different grades?
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What did the special notebook smell of in Mia's fourth grade class with Mrs. Fletcher?
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How far is Disneyland from the motel?
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What did Jason tell Mia in the auditorium?
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What type of flower did Jason give Mia?
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What does Mia's family use to celebrate special occasions?
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What is the name of the first weekly Mia meets?
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What is the name of Mia's school?
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What is the name of the client who wanted a wake-up call?
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How many refunds did they give?
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Who didn't charge a deposit on the key?
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Who snuck up on Mia when she was playing the piano?
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Did the key that Mia made for room 9 work when she gave it to the customer?
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How old is Mia?
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Who did Mr. Yao think were bad people?
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What happened to Mr. Lorenz's Ford?
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What color was Mr. Lorenz's Ford?
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Who did the police officers interview?
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What is Hank's job?
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What was Mia thinking about when she was staring at the Oreos?
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What did Mia's dad buy her that was special?
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What did Mia's mother compare her to when she said she couldn't write in English as well as the other children?
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How much did the special pencil cost?
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Where did Lupe's family immigrate from?
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What did Uncle Li make and throw away to get later and eat while working at a restaurant?
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How much is the 1943 copper alloy penny worth?
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Who came to fix the cable at the motel?
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Where did Mia say the most incredible hamburger she ever ate was from?
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What was Mia's mom's job when they lived in China?
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What did Mia save for her cousin Shen?
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What did Mia give Mr. Lewis to get him to stay in the motel?
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Where did they wash the towels when the washing machine broke?
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What is Mia's made-up golden retriever's name?
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How did Uncle Ming pay for his car repair?
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What was Jason surprised Mia could do because she was poor and from China?
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Who saved Mia when she buzzed in the drunk guy?
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How many safety improvement ideas did Mia have after the drunk guy grabbed her?
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Who was the rival motel to the Calivista?
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What kind of work did Aunt Ling do?
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What does 'ma fan' mean?
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What are the two types of roller coasters Lupe describes?
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Study Notes
Author and Setting
- Author: Kelly Yang
- Family Background: Mia's family immigrated from China to the United States.
Motel and Characters
- Motel Owner: Mr. Yao manages the Calivista Motel.
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Main Characters:
- Mia, the protagonist at 10 years old.
- Mia's best friend: Lupe, whose family immigrated from Mexico.
Key Events & Actions
- Front Desk Sign: Tang family uses a blue Yankees cap to indicate Mr. Yao's presence.
- Recycling Tradition: Mia and her father recycle weekly, exchanging earnings for "lucky" pennies.
- School Experience: Mia has attended four different schools in five grades, indicating mobility and challenges in fitting in.
Special Moments and Cultural References
- Family Celebrations: The Yang family enjoys Jasmine Tea on special occasions.
- Photographic Moments: Mia's mom pretends to take pictures during significant events.
- Posing for Pictures: The family accumulates memories with the phrase "eggplant."
Significant Relationships
- Friendship with Jason: Jason reveals his feelings for Mia in the auditorium and surprises her with dandelions.
- Customer Interactions: Mia interacts with various motel guests, including Mr. Stein and Mrs. Clifton, leading to refund situations.
Challenges and Solutions
- Key Mishaps: The key made for Room 9 fails to work, showcasing Mia's struggles with responsibility.
- Emergency Situations: Mia buzzes in a drunken customer and is rescued by Hank, leading to her developing safety improvement ideas.
Cultural Insights and Quirks
- American Life: Mia embraces American culture through experiences, like wishing for a special pencil priced at $5.99 for its glittery appeal.
- Economic Disparities: Lupe describes two types of roller coasters representing class differences: one for the rich and one for the poor.
Personal Growth and Aspirations
- Mia's Talent: Despite hardships, Mia plays the piano, which surprises Jason due to her background and financial struggles.
- Family Dynamics: Mia's mother compares her inability to write in English to being like a bicycle; an analogy emphasizing her learning journey.
Objects of Significance
- Lucky Items: Mia collects butter packets for her cousin Shen and dreams of finding a rare 1943 copper alloy penny worth $40,000.
- Uncle's Contributions: Uncle Ming uses a combination of cash and coupons to manage expenses, reflecting family solidarity.
Miscellaneous Notes
- Laundry Issues: When the washing machine breaks, towels are washed in the bathtub, highlighting the family's resourcefulness.
- Mia's Imaginary Friends: Mia creates a fictional golden retriever named Sonjay, perhaps as an escape or a symbol of comfort amidst challenges.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the characters and key details from the first 40 chapters of 'Front Desk' by Kelly Yang. This quiz covers important aspects such as immigration, family dynamics, and key plot points to help reinforce your understanding of the story.