View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the harvesters leave standing?

2. What was Joy too weak to do?

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

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

5. Why does Tao insult Joy after she gives birth?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Why does Pearl work alongside Yong?

8. Why does Pearl apply for a travel visa?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Dreams of Joy".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Dreams of Joy". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Dreams of Joy". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

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

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)

This section contains 1,048 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample