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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 is Pearl delighted when she returns from work one evening?

2. How much rice is each peasant given per day?

3. What does Joy request of Tao in front of the commune?

4. What are Z. G. and Pearl's reaction to what they see on their drive to the commune?

5. What does Pearl say about Tao?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does the brigade leader say about Yong, and what does he make Yong do?

4. What does Pearl send Joy and what does Joy do with the articles?

5. What are indications that the famine caused by The Great Leap Forward is progressing horribly?

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

7. What does Dun confess to Pearl, and what is her reaction?

8. How does Z. G. arrange for the group to get out of China?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Joy takes a ship to China. On board, she attempts to changes some of her American dollars into Chinese Yuan with the help of the captain. The captain pockets more than half of her money before changing over the rest. Joy is shocked, but understands that the ways of China are far different than they are in the States. At 8:00 am. Joy arrives at Chinese passport control. She repeats some of the propaganda mottoes she learned at the Chinese Student Democratic Association, assuring the agent that she's here to help build the People's Republic. The agent allows her to enter the country, but not before he confiscates her American passport. Then he takes Joy to have her bags searched. They remove many "bourgeois" items from Joy's luggage, including her brassieres. The luggage inspector pockets half of Joy's cash and then poses for a picture with her to be hung on the Comrade Wall of returned Chinese.

1. Why do you think the government of a country would allow such blatant misuse of power in stealing from individuals? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

2. Why do you think the Chinese government maintains the Comrade Wall of returned Chinese? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

3. Discuss in depth what you think Joy should have been thinking after losing so much of her money and having her passport retained? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadow are in "Dreams of Joy"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadowing in "Dreams of Joy including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Dreams of Joy" and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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