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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. Where does Tree-ear go after working?

2. What sloshed out of two bowls that Kang was carrying while Tree-ear was watching him?

3. What opens up when the winter storms stop?

4. What does Tree-ear request of Min?

5. What was Tree-ear supposed to do with the wood?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Min's wife give Tree-ear and what does Tree-ear do with the gift?

2. What does Tree-ear try to find out and how does his quest end?

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

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

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

6. What work of Min's does Tree-ear see the first time he goes to Min's house?

7. What does Tree-ear do at Min's house?

8. What does Crane-man do during the day and what does he make Tree-ear?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

To win a commission from the royal palace is something all potters want and something Min needs in order to allow him to survive working at the slow pace in which he works. However, Kang threatens this for Min, leaving Tree-ear uncertain for both their futures. This foreshadows a moment when Tree-ear will tell Min of this work.

1. What is foreshadowing? Would you consider the example in the above paragraph as foreshadowing? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Discuss another example of foreshadowing in A Single Shard including why you believe it is such. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from A Single Shard and your own life to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

A Single Shard takes place in the twelfth century in Korea.

1. Discuss the differences you see in the technological level between Tree-ear's time. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Discuss the differences and similarities you see between family and social life in Tree-ear's era and your own. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Discuss why you would like to live in Tree-ear's time and why you would not like to live then. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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