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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. On what wall is Joy's picture to be hung?

2. Where does Z. G. say it is time to go?

3. What does the interrogator force Pearl to do?

4. Of whom is Joy slightly afraid?

5. Why does one woman say that Pearl should not try to contact Z. G.?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Joy's trip to China.

2. Why is Pearl called into a government office and what is she told?

3. Who is Joy attracted to in the Green Dragon Village and how do the two interact?

4. What does Joy think about when listening to the propaganda about working hard?

5. What are some of the lies Joy discovers about her family?

6. What does Pearl think about concerning Joy's father, Z. G.?

7. What do Z. G. and Joy begin doing immediately at the commune, and why is the work so grueling?

8. What does Pearl think about how she can get into China and who helps her?

9. Who does Pearl visit one morning and how does the older woman seem?

10. Where are Joy and Z. G. going after leaving the Green Dragon Village and what does Z. G. say Joy will have the opportunity to do?

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 books 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 him in writing "Dreams of Joy"? What may have influenced the way he 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

The government clearly has no idea how to properly plant and maintain field harvests, and they have the peasants so full of fear of be labeled counter-revolutionary that they won't speak up when they hear the terrifying field plans for The Great Leap Forward. Had anyone tried to convince the brigade leader that planting wheat in a cornfield wouldn't work, he would not have listened to their argument anyway. The brigade leader grew up in the city his entire life, is illiterate, but managed to secure a high-ranking position in the new government.

1. Explain the process you think would have to happen to beat people down so far that they would plant a food crop that would not grow. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. What do you think are the possible problems that might arise from having a city person run a farm. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. What do you see are the problems that are caused by having citizens in a country so fearful to speak out over a plan that is obvious to them will starve the population that they plant the wheat without saying a word to the commune leader. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Joy hears that Ping-Li had begged for a divorce from her abusive husband but was continually told to work for the greater good of China by being a better wife. Desperate, she committed suicide by throwing herself in front of the hay cutter. It is interesting to note that the villagers commented on how red her blood was, a sign of a good communist. There were not repercussions for Ping-Li's husband and dissent began to take over the women in the commune who claimed their rights weren't being respected. A few days later, the villagers were banned from speaking about Ping-Li's death.

1. Do you think Ping-Li was abused because she was not a good wife? Why or why not? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss the symbolism to the Chinese workers of the red blood and what kind of propaganda could make people discuss a woman who has just killed herself in such a manner. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss the reasons you believe the government banned the people of the commune from talking about Ping-Li. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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