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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 Eliza promise to give Tao Chi'en?

2. On what night must Mama Fresia terminate Eliza's pregnancy?

3. Where is Rose when she is unexpectedly kissed?

4. What does Jacob's new landlord's wife make and sell?

5. How long does Jacob have to complete his task in Chile?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Joaquin respond when he is offered gifts or payments?

2. How does fate intervene for Eliza at the end of "The News"?

3. Why don't Rose Sommers and Mama Fresia try to stop Eliza from delivering her letter to Joaquin?

4. Do you think Jeremy does the right thing in interfering with Rose's love life?

5. Why does Eliza feel comfortable in California?

6. Why do the townspeople come to Joe's aid when her barn burns down?

7. How does James feel about falling in love with a loose woman like Esther?

8. Describe the kind of wife Tao Chi'en is looking for.

9. In what way is Rose's father more similar to her than to his sons?

10. How does Mama Fresia find out that Eliza is seeing Joaquin?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the novel, irony surrounds Jacob Todd. Describe two things that are ironic about Jacob and explain why they are ironic. How do these instances of irony shape his story line?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the minor character Ah Toy. What seems to be her driving force? Why is it important that a woman doing horrible things has such a long lifespan ahead of her? What message does that convey to the reader?

Essay Topic 3

The sage's theory is that happiness comes from serving others. If this idea is accurate, which characters in the story should be the happiest? Do they seem happy? Which characters seem the least happy? Use examples from the novel to support your ideas.

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