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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. Why does Joy boil the shoes Pearl sends her?

2. What is beginning to hit the city?

3. How will Joy and her baby be sneaked out of the commune?

4. How is Joy's relationship with her in-laws proceeding?

5. What does Pearl say about Tao?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Pearl work alongside Yong?

2. Why does Tao's mother send Joy to the birthing house and what is the outcome?

3. About what does everyone worry on the commune and what does Tao's family do to try to fend off the anticipated problem?

4. Why does Pearl agree to leave the commune with Z. G.?

5. Why does Pearl apply for a travel visa?

6. What does Pearl find has arrived one day after returning from work?

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

8. How does Z. G. decide to get Joy away from the commune?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Dreams of Joy" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Dreams of Joy"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Dreams of Joy" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 2

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 "Dreams of Joy" is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Dreams of Joy" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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