Question

Read the excerpt from Amy Tan’s essay “Mother Tongue.” I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother’s “limited” English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect. What is the purpose of this text?
A. to inform readers based on Tan’s childhood experience
B. to persuade readers to speak a different way
C. to inform readers of Tan’s mother’s feelings
D. to persuade readers that Tan’s mother is intelligent

Answer 1

Answer:

A. to inform readers based on Tan’s childhood experience

Explanation:

In the above excerpt, Amy Tan tells her feelings during her childhood about the language 'English.' She used to believe that the clarity and fluency in the English Language makes a person clearer and thoughtful in ideas. This was her belief during her childhood. As she grew up she developed a different view of English as a language. She expresses her view that her mother used to speak English which would be grammatically incorrect. At the same time, she adds that the activities which her mother was able to do were difficult for the native speaker of English do.