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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 Brian write to Angela?

2. What does Hulan ask Angela to tell others?

3. What does Miller say to Hulan concerning his connection to Chinese artifacts?

4. What did Lily do with Chinese artifacts?

5. From what does Michael say Hulan's career protects her?

Short Essay Questions

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

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. Why is Tang angry at the end of the bidding for the ruyi? What does he do, and what does David realize about Tang? What does David do when Tang leaves the auction?

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

5. What does David see Ma and Fitzwilliams doing, and what does Ma ask David to do?

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

7. With whom does David meet at Cosgrove's? What does David tell this person? What is this person's response?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes Dragon Bones interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze David. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Hulan. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Michael. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Most mystery novels have an element of fear and suspense. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of fear in Dragon Bones. Use specific examples to support your ideas. In what ways is fear felt? Who feels fearful? Why?

2. Why do you think many people enjoy getting scared? For example--in spook houses at Halloween or by reading mystery/suspense novels that contain an element of fear?

3. Are there any things any of the characters are afraid of within their control to change? What? Why do you think the characters have not addressed those issues?

4. Discuss whether or not you enjoy the experience of being scared when you know it is not "real."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,285 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample