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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 is Lady Lu not wearing when Lily meets her for the first time?

2. What does Snow Flower's father sell to pay his debts?

3. What are third-day wedding books?

4. Who is Snow Flower?

5. What does Lily say was out of balance and needed to be put right when Beautiful Moon died?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does having a laotong relationship with Snow Flower mean to Lily's family?

2. What does Lily remember about being five and wading in the river?

3. What story does Aunt tell the girls about nu shu?

4. What is Snow Flower's father's condition?

5. Why does Lily feel betrayed by her mother?

6. Describe the moment when Lily knows that Snow Flower loves her when they are in the women's chamber.

7. Why are Lily, Beautiful Moon, and Snow Flower allowed outside during the hot month of the Catching Cool Breezes Festival?

8. What does Madame Wang suggest about Lily having a laotong?

9. What happens when Lily's mother tries to bind Third Sister's feet?

10. At the beginning of the novel, what does Lily say interests her now?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lily says that all the problems in her life were caused because she was looking for love. Discuss the problems that Lily created because of her need for love.

Essay Topic 2

Do you think Lily makes up for her humiliation of Snow Flower by her actions during the last days of Snow Flower's life? Why does she ask for Snow Flower's forgiveness at the end of the novel? What is the one regret Lily has regarding her laotong relationship with Snow Flower?

Essay Topic 3

What kind of man is Lily's husband? Do they seem to have a happy marriage? Why or why not? Provide three examples to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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