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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. Shen Fu reminds the reader of a quote from the ancients: "Lack of ________ in a woman is a virtue."

2. A monk at the cave invites Shen Fu to see that Ten Thousand Year _____, in the kitchen of a temple.

3. What can Yun and Shen Fu not bring with them when they go to move into the house of Hua?

4. The madam of the first boat the Shen Fu and the others call to is called the Lady with the ____________ Hair.

5. What does Yun say when Shen Fu makes a comment about the figure of another woman? "__________ have good fortune."

Short Essay Questions

1. What places does Shen Fu like the best when he is moved to Hangchou as a young boy?

2. What happens when Shen Fu and his friend Hung-kan decide to climb Han Mountain together?

3. What is Yun's position in the Shen Fu family's house, according to the book and the story?

4. What happens to the scent of the food when Shen Fu eats with the Chen family?

5. What does Shen Fu seem to think about the presence of Hsi-erh in his life when Yun is away?

6. What does Shen Fu have to say about the differences between impressions of seeing a place?

7. What does Feng-sen know when he is sent away for an apprenticeship, though he is never told this?

8. What happened at Chungwen Academy when Shen Fu is a boy, according to his writings?

9. What was Shen Fu sent to do when he was a boy, according to his writing in this section?

10. What is the question Shen Fu begins this section of the book with, according to the content?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book ends without a real ending, as it is merely a collection of stories, though the endings have not been uncovered yet.

Part 1: How does it feel to have a story without a clear ending?

Part 2: Do you think the story still entertains a reader, even if it's not complete?

Part 3: How do you feel about the way the book is structured? Is it a true memoir, in your opinion?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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