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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 does Tree-ear discover after a few days?

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

3. Where did Tree-ear used to live?

4. Where does Tree-ear hide his bowl?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the story of how Tree-ear came to live with Crane-man?

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

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

6. What is the third job to which Tree-ear is assigned and how does he do it?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Tree-ear was on his first day at his job with Min Crane-man tried to catch a flounder but was unable to do so. In a fit of anger he hit a rock with his crutch and broke the crutch. Tree-ear felt guilty that he was not there to catch flounder and that he did not even think of Crane-man when he ate his midday meal.

1. What can be learned from Crane-man breaking his crutch in a fit of anger? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Do you think Tree-ear should have felt guilty about not bringing Crane-man some of his midday food considering the amount of physical labor Tree-ear had to do? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Although Crane-man did not get a flounder and he broke his crutch and Tree-ear felt ashamed about his selfishness, they ended the evening having fun with each other. Talk about the character traits this type of ending to a hard day indicates. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

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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