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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 think about doing for a moment as he stood up after the bandits left?

2. What did Min do differently at the kiln in Chapter 7?

3. Where did Tree-ear put his flint stones?

4. What did Min give Tree-ear for the journey?

5. What did Tree-ear do just before he started descending off the Rock?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the story behind the place called Rock of the Falling Flowers and what has Tree-ear promised Crane-man about the place?

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

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

5. What kindness did the emissary show Min?

6. When is Min done with his vases and how is Crane-man involved?

7. How does Tree-ear feel and what does he do after the two men leave him at the Rock?

8. What does Min say to Tree-ear's suggestion and what is Tree-ear's response to her?

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

10. What does Tree-ear do when he finally is able to see the emissary?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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