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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. What did Tree-ear do just before he started descending off the Rock?

2. How long was Kang's commission to last?

3. Why did Min tell Tree-ear to go collect some wood?

4. What did Tree-ear and Crane-man do at dusk the night before Tree-ear was leaving?

5. What did Min do differently at the kiln in Chapter 7?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. What does Tree-ear do on his first day back at the village?

3. What does Tree-ear do when he finally is able to see the emissary?

4. How does Tree-ear feel when he arrives back in Ch'ulp'o and where does Min's wife send him?

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

6. What happens with the pots that Tree-ear has guarded?

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

8. How does Tree-ear feel when he arrives in Songdo and what happens at first about his request to the guards?

9. What does Tree-ear give Crane-man before he leaves on his journey?

10. What does Min's wife request of Crane-man? What is his response? What is Tree-ear's response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tree-ear begins to bring half of his mid-day lunch home to Crane-man and eventually a whole bowl as Min's wife begins to fill the bowl after the midday. Crane-man is always excited and grateful for the food.

1. Do you think it would be difficult to be grateful in Crane-man's shoes since he is homeless, crippled, and often has little to eat? Why or why not? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. What are some of the ways in which Crane-man manages to have a good outlook on life in spite of his hardships? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes A Single Shard interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Tree-ear. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Crane-man. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Min. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of A Single Shard and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why A Single Shard is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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