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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. Shen Fu was disgusted by the ________ of his friends, which is why he decided to leave the post at which he was stationed.

2. What is the name of a person the Chinese culture who was a lover, but her sexual favors were not necessarily for sale?

3. What does Yun point out does NOT happen when an insect dies, so she suggests Shen Fu study this?

4. The secretaries were not considered to be a part of the government and they were paid out of _____________, not the larger accounts.

5. What does Yun say that they can bring with them in order to be able to have tea when she and Shen Fu are on an adventure?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the things that Shen Fu and Yun discuss when they do the Pavilion together?

2. Why does the teacher send Shen Fu home in order to write his compositions for school, according to the book?

3. What happened to destroy the work that Shen Fu and Yun did on their yard?

4. Why does the book become a national favorite for those who read it as the times of the day in China were much different?

5. How would the Pavilion of the Waves' Lotus Lovers' Hall be described, according to the book?

6. What is the job that Shen Fu takes on within the government, as a result of his education?

7. What does Shen Fu tells his parents about Yun when they meet as cousins when he is thirteen-years-old?

8. Why does Shen Fu take up so much time talking about the arrangement of pots and cases? What is he trying to do for the plants?

9. Why are Shen Fu's failings described as falling into the category of provision for his family?

10. What did Yun's family laugh at her for which made her sheepish in the days leading up to her wedding with Shen Yu?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book ends without a real ending, as it is merely a collection of stories, though the endings have not been uncovered yet.

Part 1: How does it feel to have a story without a clear ending?

Part 2: Do you think the story still entertains a reader, even if it's not complete?

Part 3: How do you feel about the way the book is structured? Is it a true memoir, in your opinion?

Essay Topic 2

Shen Fu holds close his memories of childhood as he tries to describe the simplest pleasures in his life as he grows up.

Part 1: Why do you think childhood memories are so important to Shen Fu in the telling of his story?

Part 2: Do you think it's important to look back at the past when you are living in the present day?

Part 3: How do you think focusing on one's past might be detrimental to one's present and to one's future?

Essay Topic 3

The family dynamics for Shen Fu and Yun are played out in the many ways the family mocks them and disowns them for trying to be happy.

Part 1: Why do you think it's so common for families to be the worst critics of their own children?

Part 2: How do you think you would handle so much criticism from your own family?

Part 3: Do you think that Shen Fu and Yun should have simply listened to their families? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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