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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 does Hulan surprise David in their guest house?

2. What does Hulan do after Chaowen's death?

3. Where does Ma Hulan and others when they are discussing the death of Brian McCarthy?

4. Who is Brian's supervisor?

5. Who is not at the jeep when Hulan and David arrive there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Hulan given permission to do in her deal with high powered Chinese officials five years prior to the opening of the novel?

2. Who does Hulan interview about Lily?

3. What unofficial position does Hulan have in China and why?

4. What does Hulan do after receiving her first assignment in Chapter 1?

5. What happens on the river in the prologue?

6. Who do Liu and David meet at lunch the first day in Bashan?

7. What does Michael say when Hulan interviews him?

8. What was Hulan expected to do as her part of the bargain in question #3?

9. What has happened to Lily when David and Liu find her in her bedroom?

10. What are David and Hulan told at their meeting with Zai?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In any detective novel, there are clues that point both to the real criminal(s) versus those that are designed to mislead the readers in order to add suspense. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze 5 clues that are designed to let the astute reader figure out who is the criminal(s).

2. Trace and analyze 5 clues that are designed to mislead even the astute reader in figuring out who is the criminal(s).

3. Do you enjoy being mislead in a mystery/suspense novel? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Dragon Bones, like most novels in the detective genre, involves police officers and police work. Discuss the following:

1. What are the characteristics of an effective police officer?

2. What additional characteristics does a police detective need?

3. Base upon the criteria in #1, 2 above, discuss the following characters and analyze whether you think they are effective police officers and/or detectives: Hulan, David, Hom, Zai, and Su.

Essay Topic 3

Liu Hulan is a rare and powerful figure in China as a woman of wealth in a power position with the most feared political group, the Ministry of Public Security. From her deals with the heads of state to her father to her upbringing and her current position, Hulan has led a life few in China even dream of having.

1. What do you think the above statement suggests about the role of women in China. Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss some of the reasons the Ministry of Public Security would be feared in a country with a totalitarian government. Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

3. How do you think turning her own father in as a criminal affected Hulan as a person? Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,120 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample