View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Tree-ear discover after a few days?

2. What does Tree-ear request of Min?

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

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

5. In what century is A Single Shard set?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does time pass for Tree-ear and his new job and what is the rotation of his jobs?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

Characters are an important part of what makes A Single Shard interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Tree-ear. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Crane-man. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Min. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 936 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample