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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. In Chapter 18, when Mei steps on a balcony, what direction does she face so she cannot see the Forbidden City or the Lake Palaces?

2. What color jade is the Chairman's chop that he uses to stamp his name on official documents?

3. When did the Chairman swim three times in the Yangtze river?

4. About how old is a toddler Mei sees in Secretary Sun's neighborhood in Chapter 14?

5. How long has it been since Mei has seen Secretary Sun in Chapter 23?

Short Essay Questions

1. In Chapter 16, what does Mei overhear outside Madame's quarters?

2. What grandiose plans does Mei have at the beginning of Chapter 21?

3. What do the papers say about the Chairman's swim in the Yangtze in Chapter 25?

4. In Chapter 15, who does the Chairman see when he becomes ill?

5. In Chapter 24, what are Mei's thoughts about what she saw when she toured campuses?

6. Why does Mei spill food on herself in Chapter 17?

7. In Chapter 25, where does Mei remember where did the Chairman swam a decade ago?

8. What does Mei find in the mail addressed to her in Chapter 15?

9. What is the first thing that Mei and the Chairman visit in Shoshan?

10. In Chapter 16, what does Secretary Sun tell Mei about her family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Imagery is a literary device authors use to describe characters and the world they inhabit. Imagery involves using the five senses to describe characters, places, and things. How does Hua use imagery to help readers imagine the world and characters she has created?

Essay Topic 2

Mei matures and changes in Forbidden City. Is her story a Bildungsroman or a coming-of-age story?

Essay Topic 3

Mei has never eaten as well as she does at the Lake Palaces. How is the quality and quantity of food different at the Lake Palaces than in Mei’s village? Why is there such inequality?

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