Anthony's+Group

Before starting the book, the reader may want to lightly research the Chinese Revolution/Chinese Civil War, after which the events of the book immediately take place, because what happened is not explained to well, other than a mention of a revolution, just the after-effects of it that Chen witnesses.

Essential Questions: 1. Communism (China) and Democracy (United States) are two very differing ideals. Using supporting examples from the book and possible personal experience, which would you say is better? 2. Have your views on Communism or the Chinese lifestyle changed since reading this book? How and why? 3. How does social status effect life? How do past generations effect life? 4. What steps need to be taken by individuals of society to overcome social, mental, and political oppresion? 5. What roles do political leaders play indirectly and directly in the lives of individuals?

Match each character or place with the correct description.

1. Da 2.Sen 3. Professor Wei 4. Si 5. Da's father 6. Jin 7. Tan 8. Dia 9. Yi 10. Chairman Mao 11. Mo Gong 12. Gang of Four 13. Siang 14. Yellowstone

a. Da's cousin; arrogant about getting accepted into Amoy University b. one of Da's friends from the gambling pit; comes from a wealthy family c. consists of a few members of Mao's cabinet; government changes drastically after their downfall d. main setting of novel; city in China; is where Da and his family live e. Da's older sister; works in a factory in Han Jian f. leader of China during the Great Starvation; oppressed landlords so that they would have less power g. teaches Da English to repay Da's father for treating her sister h. one of Da's friends from the gambling pit; his parents are illegal shoemakers i. an acupuncturist; a landlord j. Da's friend; has a smoking addiction k. main character of the novel; son of a landlord; works very hard to get good score on national entrance exams; gets accepted into the Beijing Language Institute l. one of Da's friends form the gambling pit; is the leader of the group m. Da's older brother; studies for the national entrance exams with Da; gets accepted into a college n. one of Da's friends from the gambling pit; is a carpenter

Answer Key 1. k 2. l 3. g 4. e 5. i 6. m 7. a 8. j 9. n 10. f 11. h 12. c 13. b 14. d

Colors of the Mountain Multiple Choice

1. What is Dia's special tobacco-growing secret? A) Rice husks C) Sake B) Urine D) Spit

2. What is the odd Western instrument Da learns to play? A) Cello C) Piano B) Flute D) Violin

3. Where did Da Chen work in in place of his sister? A) Canned Food Factory C) A and B B) Rice Fields D) Gambling Pit

4. What does I-Fei aspire to be? A) Actor C) Soldier B) Musician D) Driver

5. What does Da Chen choose to major in (or atleast focus his studies on)? A) English C) Geology B) History D) Physics

6. Where does Da Chen first get accepted into? A) Harvard University C) Amoy University (AU) B) Beijing Language Institute D) Peking University

7. At the end of the book, Da's father stops the bus to give him something. What is it? A) Pears C) Money B) Da's English Notecards D) Da's Father's Flute

8. What does Da need to wear to gain entrance to the mass funeral held for Mao? A) Headband C) Hat B) Armband D) Stamp

9. What is the main (only) brand of cigarettes used throughout the book? A) Camel C) Flying Horse B) Filters D) Smoking Turtle

10. What does Da win the school competition for? A) Music C) Prose/Poetry B) Volleyball D) Ping-Pong

Multiple Choice Answer key 1) B 2) D 3) A 4) D 5) A 6) B 7) A 8) B 9) C 10) D

Colors of the Mountain Short Answer

1. What is the name of the religious ritual that Da takes part in several times through out the book? Who is he worshipping through this ritual? 2. How do Da and his gang of friends swear into brotherhood? 3. Da’s father takes up in an ancient art, what is this art? Does it help his family? If so, how? 4. How is Da treated in his school life? Why is he treated this way? 5. What does Da fear becoming? What does he do to prevent this? 6. When Sen is in love what does Da do to help him with his girl problems? How does the plan work out? 7. Why do people find Da crazy towards the end of the book? Is he really going crazy? 8. What is the job that Das grandpa assigned to do for the remainder of his life? How does Da keep his grandpa from having to work? 9. Why does Da have to hide in the beginning of the story from his school? Why is this such a crime? 10. What do Da’s "brothers" do to get rich in the time that they were away?

Short Answer answer key

1.The ritual is called kowtowing and they kowtow to gain forgiveness from their personal gods, ancestors, and Buddha. 2. Da and his friends swear into brotherhood by having a feast, and a set of rules that they must live their lives by for the rest of life. 3. The art that Das father takes up is called acupuncture. It is a medical practice that supposedly heals the paralyzed with use of needles by spinning them and stimulating dead nerves. This proves to help the family in the long run because Da’s father helps his bosses and other people with this practice and this provides the family benefits of extra food and less work hours. 4. Da always makes at least one friend, but there is always that one kid who picks on him, as well. Da is known as the son of a landlord and this is almost like "taboo" to other kids. People feel as if the landlord class is weak and evil. 5. Da fears becoming a farmer or peasant in society. To prevent this, he works himself to death when it comes to school and studies nonstop. 6. To help Sen, Da writes a love letter for him to give to the girl. This plan backfires and Sen is given the letter back and threatened by the girl’s father in return. 7. Da is not going crazy. He is just so caught up in his English studies that he speaks it out loud and the people around him can't understand it because all they know is Chinese. 8. Da’s grandpa is forced to scare away birds out of the rice fields. Da tries to help by telling his grandpa’s boss that he is sick and cannot work. 9. Da hides because he supposedly threw away his homework; which was to copy leader Mao’s speech. This was taken as a crime because Mao is a communist ruler and Da is already seen as an enemy to him for being the son of a landlord. 10. While Da is away his "brothers" went and set up gambling pits in the city. They played everyone for their money and ran back off to Yellow Stone. Colors of the Mountain Extended Response

1. Why does Da’s family value his success so much? If they were in a higher position than the forsaken landlords, would their values on this remain the same? Explain. 2. Based on what you know from the book about Da’s habits, how do you think he will do in college? Give examples of his habits and details about his work ethics to support your conclusion.