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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 Hulan do after Chaowen's death?

2. What is one important missing artifact that Ma discusses?

3. Who is not at the jeep when Hulan and David arrive there?

4. What does David decide to do?

5. With whom does Hulan make a deal five years earlier?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

4. Who do Liu and David meet at lunch the first day in Bashan?

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

6. What happens on the river in the prologue?

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

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

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

10. What does Hulan surprise David with when they return to their room in Chapter 7, what is the result of that surprise and what does Liu question with David?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is clear from the beginning that David loves his wife dearly, and realizes she is suffering from guilt. He, too, questions his role in his daughter's death, and has additional pain as his wife pulls away from him in an effort to protect herself from her pain. David gave up his own dreams for those of his wife and child, and while he forgives Hulan, he does recognize his own sacrifices are often overlooked by her.

1. Discuss ways you think David might be able to pull Hulan out of her guilt. Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

2. Why do you think parents feel guilty when a child dies when it is medically not their fault? Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

3. How do you think a person's partner not noticing sacrifices would eventually affect a relationship? Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Dragon Bones.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Dragon Bones. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Dragon Bones. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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).

(see the answer keys)

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