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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 thinks the foreigners are to blame for the artifact thefts?

2. To what does the conversation shift when Hulan indicates she is investigating a murder?

3. With what civilization is Dr. Zhongyan concerned?

4. What does Hulan think she should support because of being educated in the United States?

5. From what did Chaowen die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Catherine explain to David and Liu about Yu and what symbols does the group at lunch discuss?

2. What does Wu's father think happened to his son?

3. Who is Hulan required to visit in Chapter 2, and what does he tell her to do?

4. What does Ma tell Liu about the missing relics in Chapter 6?

5. Who meets the couple at Bashan, and what does he tell them as he takes them to their lodgings?

6. What was Hulan given permission to do in her deal with high powered Chinese officials five years prior to the opening of the novel?

7. What does Hulan do after receiving her first assignment in Chapter 1?

8. Where do David, Hulan, and Ma go in Chapter 6? What do they see there?

9. What has happened to Lily when David and Liu find her in her bedroom?

10. What does Michael say when Hulan interviews him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dragon Bones belongs to the historical novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a suspense novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Dragon Bones. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think See chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think See chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss See's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliff hangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Sandford use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think Dragon Bones is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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