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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. When would the potters find out the emissary's decision?

2. What does Tree-ear request of Min?

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

4. In which area of Korea is the novel set?

5. Where does Tree-ear hide his bowl?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss A Single Shard based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if A Single Shard is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for young teens versus adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider A Single Shard a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 911 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample