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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 did Dr. Nie introduce as Mr. Sima Ming?

2. What did Dr. Li teach Salzman?

3. How many nights a week did Salzman take lessons from Pan at the training hall in "Lessons"?

4. What did Mr. Gong's youngest son break when Salzman was at the table with him?

5. What did Teacher Wei want Salzman to drink before she gave him his first lesson?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when the policeman at the train station advised Salzman to put on a martial arts demonstration?

2. What was the audience's behavior like during the performance of the Congolese entertainers?

3. Describe the Hunan Theater.

4. What did Salzman do with the fish Old Ding and his brothers gave him as a gift?

5. Describe the martial artist Pan.

6. What happened when Salzman developed athlete's foot and needed medication?

7. What was Salzman's impression of Changsha when he first arrived?

8. How did Old Ding react the first time he saw Salzman?

9. How did Salzman's class respond to his reading of "The Lottery"?

10. What did the Chinese students criticize about Natassia Kinski's lips?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role that humor played in Salzman's experiences in China. Did he value humor in his friendships as well as in his teachers? Why did he want to see his Chinese students loosen up? Did Salzman's use of humor in his teaching methods make for a better classroom experience?

Essay Topic 2

Why did Little Mi and Salzman find it necessary to hide the fact that he was bringing her home on his bicycle? What social constraints did they face at this time in China? Why would Salzman's foreign status damage Little Mi's reputation if they were seen together?

Essay Topic 3

Do you agree or disagree that Salzman is a writer who uses descriptive language to create vivid portrayals of the Chinese people he interacts with? Which scene stands out as an example of his writing skills?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 872 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample