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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. The book was recently republished by the People's Literature ______ Society as this book is so well-loved among the readers.

2. Who decides that Shen Fu needs to go home in order to complete his examinations during his schooling with with friend of his father's?

3. Shen Fu tells the reader to create small scenes as lovely as ________ when adding detail in the pot with flowers and stones.

4. What is not generally a part of Chinese literature, though this book tends to reveal more of these details than most books do?

5. Who did Shen Fu pay money to in order to have him come with Shen Fu and Yun the next day to cook for them?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Shen Fu's education prepare him to be, which is a disappointment to his family as the reader learns in the story?

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

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

4. What does Shen Fu describe doing when he was a child when he was lying on the grass?

5. What does Shen Fu imagine the bug is when he is observing it out in nature, according to the book?

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

7. What does Shen Fu think that people with modest homes should try to do with their homes and their arrangements?

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

9. What is the interesting way that Shen Fu and Yun want to be reincarnated when they are born again in their next life?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shen Fu asks the question right from the start - why do misfortunes come - setting up the tone for the third section.

Part 1: Why do you think this question is important for Shen Fu to have answered?

Part 2: How do you feel about the presence of misfortune in your own life?

Part 3: Do you think it's possible to avoid misfortune in your life?

Essay Topic 2

When Shen Fu and Yun decided they wanted to entertain their friends, they would not spend a lot of money on food, but they would use that saved money to buy wine instead.

Part 1: What do you think of the choices that Shen Fu and Yun make in order to entertain their friends?

Part 2: Why do you think Shen Fu and Yun feel it is important to always have wine when they are entertaining?

Part 3: How would you feel if you were a guest of Shen Fu and Yun?

Essay Topic 3

Shen Fu considers himself to be a lucky person since he has been able to travel to far off places during his life.

Part 1: Why do you think it's important for a person to travel away from home?

Part 2: Do you like to travel to new places? What has been your favorite experience?

Part 3: How do you think a person changes when they are able to experience new things in their life?

(see the answer keys)

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