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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. Why doesn't Ai-lan's mother trust Wu?

2. What makes Yuan's teacher say that he is just like Mary?

3. Who is Mei-ling?

4. What has happened to Yuan's plot of land?

5. What field is Mei-ling studying?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Yuan thankful to Mary for as he leaves America?

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

3. What is the bad news that Mary's family delivers to Yuan?

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

5. In what ways does Yuan struggle with his pride?

6. What evidence of social change does Yuan experience on the boat on the way back to China?

7. When Yuan finds a letter from Mary in his room, what does it say?

8. How is Yuan prejudiced even within his own country?

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

10. What reason does Mei-ling give for turning down Yuan's marriage proposal?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Yuan's relationship with Mei-ling develop from the time he meets her to the end of the novel? What setbacks does the relationship experience? What about the advances? What can the reader predict for the development of their relationship? Cite at least two examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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