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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 does Yuan use the plot of land for?

2. What does Yuan do in response to his father arranging a marriage for him?

3. How does Yuan respond to his father's reaction to his appearance?

4. According to Yuan's teacher, why can't Yuan explain the meaning of his poem?

5. Who's friend is Wu Li-yang?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Yuan so proud to call Ai-lan's mother his own mother?

2. How does Yuan try to run away from himself?

3. Why is Yuan so focused in his studies in America?

4. Why does Yuan have reservations about joining the revolutionary cause?

5. After he finds out his father is sick, why do the guards accompany Yuan back to his father's home?

6. What is the one thing that does not cut off Yuan from the poor around him?

7. When Yuan travels to the earthen home that once belonged to his grandfather, why do the people look at him suspiciously?

8. How does the maid turn into yet another trap for Yuan's freedom?

9. How is danger for the revolutionaries foreshadowed when Yuan, Ai-lan, and the lady mother are on the way to meet Yuan's uncle?

10. How does Yuan feel when he is told that his father has arranged a marriage for him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two characters to compare and contrast. Compare their morals, motives, beliefs, and their conflicts. What relationship do these characters have, if any? Are they connected in any way? Do they balance each other? Cite at least six examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

How does Pearl S. Buck use foreshadowing to tell the reader what might happen in the future? What are three elements of foreshadowing cited from the novel? What did these events foreshadow in the future? What effect does foreshadowing have on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

The ending of A House Divided is an ambiguous one. Explain why. What purpose does an ambiguous ending serve? Why might the author decide to use this type of ending? What effect does it have on the reader?

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