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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 does Yuan feel as if he should no longer live with his lady mother?

2. What drink does Yuan stomach out of politeness?

3. What is Yuan's room at the inn like?

4. Why is Yuan so interested in his teacher's daughter?

5. What does Yuan notice about the way he is treated after he returns from America?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why does Yuan accept Meng's proposal to come work in the new capital city?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Yuan has difficulty rejecting the traditions of the past and accepting the revolutionary ideas. What traditional ideas does Yuan have trouble rejecting and accepting? What revolutionary ideas does Yuan have trouble rejecting and accepting? What conclusions does Yuan come to in the end? Cite at least three examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

The number three is significant in several ways, one being that there are three stages in Yuan's life. Describe these three stages and how they compare and contrast. These stages of life are represented by the three different chapters. Explain how this is significant.

(see the answer keys)

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