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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 Kingston notice about the Wild Man as shown in the photos of his capture appearing in the newspaper?

2. After Captain Carroll rescues the China Men from being adrift in the sea, where do the China Men ask the Captain to take them?

3. Why does Sao Elder Brother become known as Mad Sao?

4. In what year is the birthday party for the 106-year-old man held in Hawaii?

5. Which act shows that the mandarins are confident that they will find gold?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the irony of the mandarins requesting more ships in the story the Filipino scholar tells in "On Listening."

2. Describe the experience of the AJA's (Americans of Japanese Ancestry) during World War II, using only details from Kingston's retelling of her memories and the stories she heard as a child.

3. Explain why members of the freighter's crew try to send their shipmate to China and describe the Wild Man's response at the airport.

4. Describe the relationship between Lo Bun Sun and Sing Kay Ng.

5. What does Kingston mean at the end of "Alaska China Men" when she writes, ". . . perhaps any China Man was China Joe"?

6. Compare the Alaskan Driving Out with the California Driving Out of China Men.

7. How does the Wild Man end up in a Tampa Hospital for the insane? Tell what happens once he is there.

8. What does Lo Bun Sun's constant work and preparation suggest about his character?

9. Retell the Filipino scholar's story about the Chinese first coming to the Philippines in search of gold. Be sure to include only the information that the scholar provides. Don't be distracted by the party-goers' interruptions.

10. Compare and contrast Uncle Bun's beliefs about the benefits of communism and his dreams of a Communist World and Father's political beliefs.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the Four Most Valuable Things according to Chinese tradition. Tell why the Chinese valued these things. Cite examples from China Men that illustrate why these items are called the Four Most Valuable Things. Think about four valuable things in modern society. What things would you list as most valuable? How are they similar to and different from the Chinese traditional Four Most Valuable Things?

Essay Topic 2

Re-read the first two pages of Chapter 5, "The Great Grandfather of the Sandalwood Mountains." Summarize what happens when Kingston sends a distant cousin money for a bike. Kingston shows uncertainty regarding her decision not to send more money. Describe her reasons for the precaution she takes not to place her family in China any troubles.

Use this summary as a springboard to a longer essay regarding why Sojourners were expected to send money home to their Chinese wives and families. Why was this practice necessary? Does it stop at anytime during the time covered in Kingston's novel?

Essay Topic 3

Write a book review of Maxine Hong Kingston's novel China Men. Briefly summarize the plot line in the story, and then describe Kingston's approach to the subject as an author. Finally, tell whether you would recommend this book to someone else. Explain your recommendation to your reader.

(see the answer keys)

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