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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. Who is described as being idealistic?

2. Which character says, "who is not selfish? We are all selfish"?

3. What does Yuan say about the two Chinese brothers?

4. What does Wu do when a beggar reaches out to him?

5. What is the bad news that Yuan receives about his hometown?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Wu do when a beggar reaches for a handout from him?

4. Although Yuan has prejudices about the white people, why does he like his teacher's family?

5. Why does Mary's father claim that Yuan and Mary are alike?

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

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

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

9. Why is Yuan embarrassed by the Chinese brothers who put on a comedy act at the school?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Yuan is often caught between two extremes and has trouble choosing one wholeheartedly. Give three pairs of extremes that Yuan must choose between. What does he finally choose? Why? What causes Yuan from picking one extreme over another?

Essay Topic 2

How is freedom elusive to Yuan? How does Yuan constantly search for freedom but fail to find it? Cite at least examples from the novel to prove the argument.

Essay Topic 3

Compare Yuan's life in China to his life in America. How does Yuan's perception of the events around him affect the way he lives? What is Yuan's quality of life like in each location? Are Yuan's opinions of both America and China accurate? Why or why not? Cite at least five examples from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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