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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. Where are Hulan and David going to stay while on assignment?

2. What happens to the body as it floats down the river?

3. Where does David go while Hulan is interviewing the foreigners?

4. According to Michael Quon, why is he at the site?

5. What is the reason for the assignement of David and Hulan to the same case?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Hulan tries to stop a woman from hurting her daughter in the square?

2. What do David and Liu do after packing in Chapter 4?

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

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

5. What does Xiao Da say at the Society meeting and what happens to David and Hulan at the meeting? What does Hulan think is the reason she was sent to Site 518?

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

7. Who does Ma first introduce David and Liu to and what does this man tell them?

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

9. What does Hulan find out when she interviews Catherine about Lily's death?

10. Who does Hulan interview about Lily?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dragon Bones involves the act of murder. Discuss the following:

1. What is murder? Is the act of murder always clearly murder?

2. Is the murder of Lily or Brian justifiable? Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Hom was murdered? Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

4. Is murder ever justified? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Most mystery novels have an element of fear and suspense. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of fear in Dragon Bones. Use specific examples to support your ideas. In what ways is fear felt? Who feels fearful? Why?

2. Why do you think many people enjoy getting scared? For example--in spook houses at Halloween or by reading mystery/suspense novels that contain an element of fear?

3. Are there any things any of the characters are afraid of within their control to change? What? Why do you think the characters have not addressed those issues?

4. Discuss whether or not you enjoy the experience of being scared when you know it is not "real."

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)

This section contains 1,266 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample