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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. Why did Tree-ear's attitude toward work change?

2. For what did Min hire Crane-man?

3. What did Min say about the gift Tree-ear had given Crane-man before he left?

4. What did Tree-ear tell the emissary was the number of pieces he will most likely receive from Min a year?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Min's wife request of Crane-man? What is his response? What is Tree-ear's response?

2. What do Tree-ear and Min do with the pots early in the morning and what does Tree-ear to for several days after?

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

4. How does Tree-ear feel when he arrives back in Ch'ulp'o and where does Min's wife send him?

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

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

7. What does Min do about the problem with the pots?

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

9. 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?

10. In Chapter 7, what does Tree-ear finally tell Min and what does Min have Tree-ear do? What does Tree-ear realize he has learned when he performs his task?

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

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

To win a commission from the royal palace is something all potters want and something Min needs in order to allow him to survive working at the slow pace in which he works. However, Kang threatens this for Min, leaving Tree-ear uncertain for both their futures. This foreshadows a moment when Tree-ear will tell Min of this work.

1. What is foreshadowing? Would you consider the example in the above paragraph as foreshadowing? Why or why not? Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Discuss another example of foreshadowing in A Single Shard including why you believe it is such. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from A Single Shard and your own life to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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