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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 would soften people's criticism of Meilan?

2. What is Ying responsible for buying?

3. Why does Ailin conceal the sisterhood pact from Ying?

4. How does the girl react when told she reminds men of their dead wives?

5. What did Mr. Chang show Meilan for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the story end?

2. What does the girl think will heal her boyfriend?

3. What is Sweeping Past about?

4. What connects the women?

5. What is the effect of the documentary?

6. How do the six women plan to deal with house fires?

7. What does she suggest to him?

8. What pact does Ailin make?

9. Why does the old man approach the girl?

10. What is Number Three, Garden Road about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the upbringing of a character affect their life? What does the story say about Yiyun Li''s own character and the themes she has expressed the stories?

Essay Topic 2

If the book were made into a film, how would Li's style of narrative be reflected in film? Would the book make a good film?

Essay Topic 3

In what way is love a constant theme throughout the book? In what way do the Chinese view love differently from Western cultures? Does the author share this view?

(see the answer keys)

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