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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. In which area of Korea is the novel set?

2. What did Min tell Tree-ear to do about setting up the planks for his display?

3. Where did Tree-ear and Crane-man live during the winter?

4. What was different about Min's display for the judging from the other potters?

5. What story does Crane-man tell Tree-ear?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Tree-ear do about the rice container? What was the farmer's response?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What does Tree-ear do to pay for the box and how is he disappointed?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of A Single Shard and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why A Single Shard is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in A Single Shard. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Park chooses the symbols she does? Do you think Park consciously decides upon the symbols to represent various elements of A Single Shard? Why or why not.

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in A Single Shard. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Park chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Park's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Park use too many or too few literary techniques? State to which of the five major elements of fiction each literary device is related (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Tree-ear volunteers to take Min's pottery to Songdo for the emissary to see. It is a long and possibly dangerous journey.

1. Do you think children the same age as Tree-ear in the present day could have made the journey he did? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Explain how the journey and the events on the journey demonstrates Tree-ear's determination and courage. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Do you think it was irresponsible of Min and Crane-man to send a young boy Tree-ear's age on such a journey? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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