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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. Whom does Brian tease as he passes their home in search of more relics?

2. Where has Ma gone?

3. Whom does David see arguing on his way into the auction room?

4. What does Hulan ask Angela to tell others?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hulan know about her and David after he leaves for Hong Kong and what does she resolve to 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 ask Stuart about after David leaves for Hong Kong, and what does he tell her about Lily and about himself and artifacts?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Dragon Bones and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Dragon Bones is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

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

In any detective novel, there are clues that point both to the real criminal(s) versus those that are designed to mislead the readers in order to add suspense. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze 5 clues that are designed to let the astute reader figure out who is the criminal(s).

2. Trace and analyze 5 clues that are designed to mislead even the astute reader in figuring out who is the criminal(s).

3. Do you enjoy being mislead in a mystery/suspense novel? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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