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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 news did a boat bring to Tree-ear's village?

2. What does Tree-ear request of Min?

3. Where does Tree-ear hide his bowl?

4. What happens to Tree-ear as a result of the day's work?

5. What happened to the fields after the rice harvest?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tree-ear finally find out what Kang is doing?

2. What kind of work is cutting clay and what does Tree-ear remember while he is cutting?

3. What does the emissary do when he arrives at the village?

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

5. What will Tree-ear and Crane-man have to do for the winter?

6. What does Tree-ear do about the problem with his food and what does he find to his surprise in his bowl?

7. How does Crane-man feel about Tree-ear's behavior?

8. Whom does Tree-ear see on his way to work one day and what does the incident suggest to Tree-ear?

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

10. What exciting news reaches the village in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Tree-ear has discovered that Kang is using a pottery technique that if Min use it Min would be certain to win the royal commission. Unfortunately, Tree-ear's strong sense of morals prevents him from telling Min what he has seen. It is ironic that Tree-ear feels free to spy, but he does not feel free to share what he has learned.

1. What is irony? (This may need research). How is the situation with Tree-ear an example of irony?

2. Discuss one other example in this book that is ironic and tell why you believe the situation is ironic. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Do you think it is wrong for Tree-ear to spy on Kang? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 2

A great deal of detail about making pottery is contained in A Single Shard. In the era in which Tree-ear lived pottery was used for hundreds of purposes. Any piece of pottery fired in the proper shape would be functional and yet potters spent many extra hours making pieces that were both functional and beautiful.

1. From the descriptions in the book about making pottery explain, in detail, with examples why a potter would be considered an artist.

2. Discuss the importance of beauty in functional pieces of pottery include a brief discussion of human emotional and physical response to beauty. This may require research. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Many of the uses pottery had in the twelfth century have been replaced by plastic in the present day. Discuss what affects you believe using plastic might have on human culture. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Tree-ear from the beginning of the book to who he is at the end of the book. How are they similar? How are they different? Which person do you like more? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Crane-man and Min. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in A Single Shard help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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