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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. Yun said that the father should forgive her _____________ when she is confronted about the situation.

3. What does the teacher suggest Shen Fu eat in order to balance out the way the soup will impact his body?

4. Shen Fu feels regret for not having visited Orchid Pavilion or Yu's _________ when he was a younger boy.

5. What happened to the County Magistrate which led to Shen Fu's father being moved to Haining?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. 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?

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

4. What did Yun do so that their children were going to be able to stay warm in the cold months?

5. What would happen if Shen Fu and and the others didn't smuggle the girls back out of the apartment without anyone else seeing them?

6. What did Shen Fu's mother say when she found out the Yun was writing letters which were supposed to be from her to Yun's father in law?

7. Why was Yun cast out of the house, according to the writings of Shen Fu?

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

9. 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?

10. What is the question Shen Fu begins this section of the book with, according to the content?

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

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?

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)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample