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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 Min insist upon that makes Tree-ear's job even more tedious?

2. What did Tree-ear decide when he saw Kang with his wheel barrel?

3. Who is Tree-ear?

4. Where do the travelers take Tree-ear?

5. What kind of branch did Tree-ear bring Min for a vase on display?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tree-ear do the day before the big event and what does Min order him to do?

2. What do the potters in town do about the news?

3. What does Min do the first thing when Tree-ear arrives on his second morning?

4. Why does Tree-ear go to Min's house?

5. What does Tree-ear ask Min when his nine days are done and what is Min's response?

6. What was Tree-ear doing when he saw a rice container had a leak?

7. How interesting is Tree-ear's third kind of job and why is it more difficult?

8. Why did Tree-ear stay with Crane-man?

9. Why does Tree-ear feel guilty at home on his first night of work? What does he decide to do about his shame?

10. How does Tree-ear break one of Min's boxes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tree-ear admires Min, a potter whom he would like to learn from. Min is also an old man who is angry and rarely speaks more than he needs to. This promises to be a difficult relationship that could be deeply rewarding for both Tree-ear and Min.

1. Why do you think Min is angry all the time? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. How do you think a relationship between Min and Tree-ear could turn out to be rewarding for both of them? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. If you met someone who you admired but was always abrupt and rude to you and always seemed to be angry would you continue to try and get to know him or her? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of A Single Shard, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in A Single Shard. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think A Single Shard is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you did not understand the relevance of the title? Did it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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