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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How were the openings in the kiln sealed?

2. Why was Tree-ear happy with Min's behavior over the red and white clay?

3. For what did Min hire Crane-man?

4. What traits did Tree-ear think were close companions?

5. What did the bandits do with the two vases?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens with Tree-ear and the fox?

2. How does Tree-ear feel and what does he do after the two men leave him at the Rock?

3. What does Tree-ear first do at the Rock of Falling Flowers?

4. Who joins Tree-ear at the rock and what does Tree-ear realize?

5. What does Crane-man finally end up doing about Min's wife's request?

6. When is Min done with his vases and how is Crane-man involved?

7. What happens on the sixth day of Tree-ear's journey and how does he feel about it?

8. In Chapter 7, what does Tree-ear finally tell Min and what does Min have Tree-ear do? What does Tree-ear realize he has learned when he performs his task?

9. What does Min do over the next few months?

10. How does Crane-man feel when Tree-ear tells him of his proposal? What does Crane-man do for the trip? How does Min upset Tree-ear?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tree-ear sees rice falling from a farmer's pack and he debates telling the man or just waiting until the farmer is gone and picking up the rice. His honesty won't let him steal. He catches up to the farmer who repairs his pack. The farmer tells Tree-ear he can have all the rice that has fallen to the ground.Tree-ear is ecstatic for this means he and Crane-man will eat well for several days.

1. How does the cliche, "Honesty is the best policy" relate to the above? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. If Tree-ear had not told the farmer he and Crane-man could have eaten for more than several days. Even so, do you think Tree-ear was correct in doing what he did? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Crane-man is proud that Tree-ear chose to be honest. Explain why you think Crane-man felt this way. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

While Tree-ear was on his first day at his job with Min Crane-man tried to catch a flounder but was unable to do so. In a fit of anger he hit a rock with his crutch and broke the crutch. Tree-ear felt guilty that he was not there to catch flounder and that he did not even think of Crane-man when he ate his midday meal.

1. What can be learned from Crane-man breaking his crutch in a fit of anger? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Do you think Tree-ear should have felt guilty about not bringing Crane-man some of his midday food considering the amount of physical labor Tree-ear had to do? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Although Crane-man did not get a flounder and he broke his crutch and Tree-ear felt ashamed about his selfishness, they ended the evening having fun with each other. Talk about the character traits this type of ending to a hard day indicates. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss A Single Shard based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if A Single Shard is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for young teens versus adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider A Single Shard a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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