View a FREE sample

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 realize as she is saying goodbye to David?

2. Who is Bill Tang?

3. What is Angela's occupation?

4. What is Ma trying to do?

5. Who is Tang's employer?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Stuart say to Hulan about the dam?

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

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

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

8. Who is David surprised to find at the auction and what does he do with him?

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

10. What does David do as soon as he realizes Stuart is in danger?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Dragon Bones is? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,214 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample