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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 work does So-hyun's aunt suggest that her mother do for pay?

2. What does Alisa play for Albert?

3. What work does Mo-sae's son-in-law do?

4. How much does So-hyun's aunt write a check for her for at the end of each month for her work?

5. In "Solo Works for Piano," what does Sasha bring to Albert's studio with her?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the community find out about Mo-sae's illness?

2. What does Albert think is the greatness of the Moonlight Sonata?

3. What extremes does Albert go through to prepare for the Van Cliburn competition?

4. How do Albert's classmates remember him?

5. Why does Albert think the reason Sasha contacts him after being out of touch for many years is strange?

6. Why does Young-ja feel anxious about leaving Mo-sae alone with their grandson in the story "The Art of Losing"?

7. In "Skinship," where do So-hyun and her family stay at first in America?

8. In the story "Skinship," why does So-hyun's family leave Korea?

9. What does Albert remember about Sasha from when they were students together?

10. What does Albert seem to be considering at the end of the story "Solo Works for Piano"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In both stories "The Church of Abundant Life" and "First Language," what can the reader discern about the frustrations and struggles of the protagonists as they relate to the cultural expectations both are operating under? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Choi switches between the first and third-person perspectives in this novel. Choose two stories from the collection that are written from different perspectives and write an essay comparing and contrasting the reader's experiences and understanding of the characters in each one.

Essay Topic 3

Why is So-hyun's father's reaction to Ji-ho's disrespect and behavioral problems so pivotal to her family's future in the story "Skinship?" Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

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This section contains 610 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample