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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 do Yuan and Mei-ling agree to do before Yuan leaves for the capital city?

2. What is Mei-ling's goal?

3. Who meets Yuan when he debarks from the train?

4. What does Mary fear?

5. Who does Yuan ask to reveal the truth about the bad news in his hometown?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Yuan learn about his father's financial situation when he visits?

2. When Yuan is on the train to visit his father, what kind of people does he notice sitting around him?

3. How does Yuan feel about America when he leaves it?

4. What does Yuan bring back to China with him from America?

5. Does Yuan want to have a romantic relationship with Mary?

6. According to Mary's description, is Yuan enthusiastic or idealistic?

7. Does Yuan keep his hopes up about Mei-ling changing her mind about his proposal? Why or why not?

8. Yuan claims that the American people hide their poor because they are ashamed. Why might Yuan be considered hypocritical when he uses this argument?

9. What is Yuan's reaction to the kiss he shares with Mary?

10. What is Yuan shocked by as he debarks from the train and rides with Meng through the city?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does China transform while Yuan is in America? Compare the three Chinas that Yuan experiences: the China before he leaves to America, the China he tells people about in America, and the China Yuan returns to. Cite at least three examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

Yuan has a habit of judging people, places, and events by their outside experience.Citing specific examples from the novel, explain how this is true. Why is Yuan judgmental?

Essay Topic 3

What social changes occur in Yuan's homeland? What is Yuan's reaction to the social changes that have occurred? Cite at least three sources that show Yuan's reluctance to social change. Analyze how this affects his development as a character.

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This section contains 926 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample