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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's father did not understand how his son could owe money as they are a house of __________ and caps.

2. What would Shen Fu and Yun do if they were unable to pay for their expenses, though this did not work for long?

3. Everywhere that Shen Fu has gone, he has gone while ____________ others, he realizes when he is writing.

4. What didn't Shen Fu and his friend Hsin-yueh do during the course of their friendship, according to Shen Fu?

5. Shen Fu thinks about the countless ________ who since ancient days have been buried without being remembered.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the reasons why Shen Fu doesn't seem to think it's fair that he should have misfortune in his life?

2. What does Shen Fu think the manicured gardens of the neighborhood do for the gods?

3. What happened at Chungwen Academy when Shen Fu is a boy, according to his writings?

4. What happened when money began to be tight for Yun and Shen Fu, according to Shen Fu's writings?

5. Why are the visits that Shen Fu makes with his friend during a more special time than any other time?

6. What does Yun always try to do for the Shen Fu family, even though they are less than nice to her when she is around?

7. What did Shen Fu do with his free time when he was a young boy studying with another person?

8. What is Yun referred to when the times in the Yun and Shen Fu household begin to be difficult?

9. What does Shen Fu seem to think about the presence of Hsi-erh in his life when Yun is away?

10. What does Shen Fu have to say about the differences between impressions of seeing a place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Shen Fu believes his wife feels everything so intensely in her life, which is what causes her to have a bleeding disorder.

Part 1: Why do you think that Shen Fu is so concerned about his wife?

Part 2: How do you think Shen Fu should help his wife with her condition?

Part 3: Do you think that a physical disorder can be caused by mental despair?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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