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

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

3. While Shen Fu's favorite flower doesn't have a __________, the colors are long-lasting and they are easy to prune.

4. What does Shen Fu always have on his desk when he was living at home, according to the book?

5. Who once created a sketch of Shen Fu and Yun in a garden, according to the story?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens in the incident with the earthworm and Shen Fu when he is a child?

2. What happens with the family as a result of the incident which Shen Fu has to deal when when he is a child?

3. What does Yun do when she is separated from Shen Fu while he is off training in order to be a government official?

4. 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?

5. What doesn't Shen Fu understand about other couples since he and Yun's relationship is so different from the others?

6. What is the advice that Yun gives to Shen Fu about painting insects as a part of his artistic endeavors?

7. What is the gift from a friend that Shen Fu receives when he is younger, which causes him to go into a lot of detail?

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

9. What it the task which Wan Tsai-chang completed, which makes him the only person that Shen Fu knows to have done such a thing?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In his gardens, Shen Fu would create the illusions of other landscapes, with the use of rocks and plants.

Part 1: What is the value of creating illusions in one's life?

Part 2: Do you think that Shen Fu might have been trying to tell others in the world something about himself through his gardens?

Part 3: How do you think you might respond if you were to see one of Shen Fu's gardens?

Essay Topic 2

According to the Introduction of the book, there is some dissent over whether this book is accurate or whether other transcripts have been written by the author.

Part 1: Do you feel that missing some of the book passages reduces your enjoyment of the book?

Part 2: Why do you think it's important to some readers that the text of a book be 100% accurate?

Part 3: How do you feel when you find out that a book is not completely accurate in its storytelling?

Essay Topic 3

For a while, Shen Fu considers the life of a monk and a life of solitude, though he realizes that community is not for him.

Part 1: Why do you think Shen Fu wanted to have the life of solitude at one time?

Part 2: Do you think you would enjoy a life of solitude if it were possible for you?

Part 3: What are some of the benefits of living a solitude life, a life of prayer and devotion?

(see the answer keys)

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