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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. In what city was Shen Fu born, according to the introduction of the book?

2. The Lighting of the ___________ is something that Yun wants to attend so badly that she convinces her husband to let her go, dressed as a man.

3. As a result of the rules, the magistrate might even be ignorant of the local _______ of the area in which he might be placed for his duties.

4. Shen Fu says there should not be more than ___________ vases arranged on a table, according to his detailed writing.

5. Shen Fu describes the fact that he was _____________ to take on the position as a secretary, which is not uncommon.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Yun do when she is separated from Shen Fu while he is off training in order to be a government official?

2. What happens in the incident with the earthworm and Shen Fu when he is a child?

3. What does Shen Fu try to describe about the potting and the arrangement of flowers?

4. How would the Pavilion of the Waves' Lotus Lovers' Hall be described, according to the book?

5. What is the job that Shen Fu takes on within the government, as a result of his education?

6. What doesn't Shen Fu understand about other couples since he and Yun's relationship is so different from the others?

7. What else did Yun teach herself to do, according to the description from Shen Fu in the story?

8. What are the other two favorite flowers of Shen Fu, which he describes in the story according to the way he arranges them and pots them?

9. What happened to destroy the work that Shen Fu and Yun did on their yard?

10. While it's not clear whether all of the transcripts will be found, what does the introduction say about the translation and what it is meant to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The family dynamics for Shen Fu and Yun are played out in the many ways the family mocks them and disowns them for trying to be happy.

Part 1: Why do you think it's so common for families to be the worst critics of their own children?

Part 2: How do you think you would handle so much criticism from your own family?

Part 3: Do you think that Shen Fu and Yun should have simply listened to their families? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

When Shen Fu and Yun decided they wanted to entertain their friends, they would not spend a lot of money on food, but they would use that saved money to buy wine instead.

Part 1: What do you think of the choices that Shen Fu and Yun make in order to entertain their friends?

Part 2: Why do you think Shen Fu and Yun feel it is important to always have wine when they are entertaining?

Part 3: How would you feel if you were a guest of Shen Fu and Yun?

Essay Topic 3

Shen Fu decides that even with his educational background that he wants to do something different, something his family sees as being beneath him.

Part 1: Why do you think Shen Fu decided to do something for which he was vastly overqualified?

Part 2: Do you think it's right to take on a job in which you are not challenged?

Part 3: How do you think your family would feel if you took on a job which was far below your skill set?

(see the answer keys)

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