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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 Angela claim about the notebook Hom claims to have found?

2. How much does the ruyi fetch at auction?

3. How does David deal with Tang?

4. What did Lily do with Chinese artifacts?

5. With what group is Tang Wenting associated?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Stuart tell David about the ruyi, and what does David realize about Michael Quon?

2. What does Hulan ask Stuart about after David leaves for Hong Kong, and what does he tell her about Lily and about himself and artifacts?

3. With whom does David sit during the auction? What is explained to David? Who bids on the ruyi?

4. What does the gate watcher at the compound tell Hulan?

5. How does Stuart feel about the dam project and why does he think it is a good project?

6. What does Hulan do with Michael after she leaves Hom, and what does he tell her?

7. What does David learn from Brian's journal?

8. How does Michael act during dinner with Hulan, and what does he talk about?

9. With what does Brian become obsessed, and what does he realize about the geographic layout of the land at Site 518?

10. What does Hulan know about her and David after he leaves for Hong Kong and what does she resolve to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Liu Hulan is a rare and powerful figure in China as a woman of wealth in a power position with the most feared political group, the Ministry of Public Security. From her deals with the heads of state to her father to her upbringing and her current position, Hulan has led a life few in China even dream of having.

1. What do you think the above statement suggests about the role of women in China. Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss some of the reasons the Ministry of Public Security would be feared in a country with a totalitarian government. Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

3. How do you think turning her own father in as a criminal affected Hulan as a person? Use examples from Dragon Bones and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Dragon Bones, like most novels in the detective genre, involves police officers and police work. Discuss the following:

1. What are the characteristics of an effective police officer?

2. What additional characteristics does a police detective need?

3. Base upon the criteria in #1, 2 above, discuss the following characters and analyze whether you think they are effective police officers and/or detectives: Hulan, David, Hom, Zai, and Su.

(see the answer keys)

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