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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. Who was the first person Tree-ear talked to when he arrived back at the village?

2. How did Tree-ear get back to his village?

3. With what did they stuff the two vases that were packed in the basket?

4. What did Min begin to do after selecting a design for the inlay?

5. Why was the bandit angry at Tree-ear?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Min do over the next few months?

4. What happens on the sixth day of Tree-ear's journey and how does he feel about it?

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

6. What does Crane-man finally end up doing about Min's wife's request?

7. What does Tree-ear do on his first day back at the village?

8. How does Tree-ear feel about what Min said to him?

9. What does the man first do to Tree-ear and how does Tree-ear respond?

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

Tree-ear begins to bring half of his mid-day lunch home to Crane-man and eventually a whole bowl as Min's wife begins to fill the bowl after the midday. Crane-man is always excited and grateful for the food.

1. Do you think it would be difficult to be grateful in Crane-man's shoes since he is homeless, crippled, and often has little to eat? Why or why not? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. What are some of the ways in which Crane-man manages to have a good outlook on life in spite of his hardships? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think A Single Shard is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Tree-ear has discovered that Kang is using a pottery technique that if Min use it Min would be certain to win the royal commission. Unfortunately, Tree-ear's strong sense of morals prevents him from telling Min what he has seen. It is ironic that Tree-ear feels free to spy, but he does not feel free to share what he has learned.

1. What is irony? (This may need research). How is the situation with Tree-ear an example of irony?

2. Discuss one other example in this book that is ironic and tell why you believe the situation is ironic. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Do you think it is wrong for Tree-ear to spy on Kang? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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