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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 war has broken out?

2. Who is fed first when there is food?

3. Why does Pearl apply for paperwork to visit the Green Dragon Village?

4. With whom does Kumei have a disagreement?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Dreams of Joy" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Dreams of Joy" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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