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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 does the little boy standing next to the lake shout at the air force pilots after they drive past him in Mr. Ma's truck?

2. Who does Aunt Helen say Pearl needs to tell about her disease?

3. What does Betty Wan from Hong Kong write to Helen?

4. Where does Winnie's son Samuel work?

5. How long did Winnie live with her uncle and his wives on Tsungming Island?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what Jiagou tells Winnie about Wen Fu's accident in the jeep.

2. What is Wen Fu's reaction as they travel along the tops of the mountains, above the clouds?

3. What happens when Winnie tells her father she must leave her marriage?

4. How does Little Yu's mother help Peanut leave her husband?

5. Why does Pearl no longer like her cousin Mary?

6. What does Winnie learn about Hulan's marriage when she reads Jiaguo's letter?

7. What does Winnie remember best about her mother?

8. What kind of items does Helen have in her big bag that she uses for a purse?

9. How do Winnie and Pearl behave differently toward each other after they've shared their secrets?

10. Why does Winnie send Danru up north to stay with Hulan and Jiaguo?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The loss of her three children in China is a great source of pain during Winnie's life. Describe the circumstances of their death and why Winnie feels responsible. Do you agree or disagree with Winnie's feelings of responsibility?

Essay Topic 2

Why does Helen make up the story about having a brain tumor? What makes her tell Pearl it's a hoax, but not her friend Winnie? Do you think it is ironic that Helen uses a lie to get Winnie and Pearl to tell the truth? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Winnie receives four thousand yuan as a dowry which she is able to keep for herself. Explain how this dowry money is used throughout the story, in both good and bad ways. In what ways was it most helpful to Winnie?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 962 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample