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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 are sparrows, rats, insects, and flies considered?

2. How does Joy convince the brigade leader to let her do her project in the commune center?

3. What has likely happened to the messages Pearl has sent Joy?

4. What work does Pearl do?

5. Alongside whom does Pearl work?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pearl work alongside Yong?

2. What about the package from Joy confuses Pearl, and who understands the message?

3. What do Dun and Pearl race to do and what does Pearl decide?

4. How does Joy react to the spectacle the Brigade leader makes of Yong, and how does she display courage?

5. What sort of horrors do Z.G. and Pearl see when they are driving to the village?

6. What crop is to be planted the following year and why is this a poor decision?

7. What happens when the commune members are called to the canteen?

8. What happens that restores the closeness between Joy and Pearl?

9. What does Joy say in a letter to Pearl, and what is Pearl's reaction?

10. What contest does the Brigade leader announce and how does the contest contribute to the food shortage?

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

Characters are an important part of what makes "Dreams of Joy" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Joy. 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.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Pearl. 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 Z. G. 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.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Tao. 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.

(see the answer keys)

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