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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. Why is David in a hurry to get to Bashan?

2. What do David and Fong see as they are flying?

3. What does Fitzwilliams ask after being told of Lily's death?

4. Who is threatening Miller?

5. Who brought Lily the artifacts?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Hulan and Michael go after lunch, and what does she hear? What does Michael do?

2. What does Hulan finally realize about the courtyard? What does she ask Angela to do?

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

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

5. What does Hulan say to Angela when she visits her again, and what does Angela say to Hulan's questions about when she arrived in China?

6. What does David show to Wu's widow? What do David and the widow do? What does she offer David?

7. What does David tell the person from Cosgrove about the artifacts from Lily?

8. What happens to David right after the auction? Who helps him?

9. What does Hulan learn from Hom about what he plans to do and why he plans to do it?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the book more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Lisa See.

2. What in See's background may have helped See in writing Dragon Bones? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

In most fiction, readers would like all the loose ends to be neatly "tied up." Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Dragon Bones is successful as a detective novel? Why or why not.

2. What about this book would motivate you to read another of Lisa See's books? What would discourage you from doing so?

3. Were all the "loose ends" satisfactorily settled for you? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss A Dragon Bones based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Dragon Bones is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for young teens versus adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Dragon Bones a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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