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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 did Tree-ear do when the two test vases were packed?

2. What did Tree-ear do on the rock after the bandits left?

3. What does Crane-man tell Tree-ear about a long kept tradition?

4. What did Tree-ear think about doing for a moment as he stood up after the bandits left?

5. Why won't Min teach Tree-ear how to use the wheel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tree-ear first do at the Rock of Falling Flowers?

2. Who joins Tree-ear at the rock and what does Tree-ear realize?

3. What happens with the pots that Tree-ear has guarded?

4. What does Min's wife tell Tree-ear about a possible living arrangement? What does Min tell Tree-ear to do at the end of the book?

5. What does Tree-ear give Crane-man before he leaves on his journey?

6. What does Min tell Tree-ear when he finds him upon returning home?

7. What happens when the emissary returns to the village?

8. How does Crane-man feel when Tree-ear tells him of his proposal? What does Crane-man do for the trip? How does Min upset Tree-ear?

9. How does Tree-ear feel when he arrives in Songdo and what happens at first about his request to the guards?

10. Why does Min make multiple versions of the same pot?

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

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Tree-ear from the beginning of the book to who he is at the end of the book. How are they similar? How are they different? Which person do you like more? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Crane-man and Min. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in A Single Shard help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

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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