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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. Who does Pearl carry to the car?

2. What do Joy and Z. G. do in Canton?

3. What does the mandate involve?

4. What does the government insist the sparrows do?

5. What does the government promise to women who give birth?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Tao's reaction to his new daughter and what does Joy decide about the child's name?

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

3. What war has broken out in the commune?

4. What gives Joy hope as she boils her new shoes?

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

6. Why does Pearl apply for a travel visa?

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

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

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

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

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

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of "Dreams of Joy", identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in this book. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot.) Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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