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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. How old is Lily when she has her feet bound?

2. What is a palanquin?

3. What was the ideal length of a bound foot for a girl?

4. What book does Snow Flower use to teach Lily?

5. What do Snow Flower and Lily create to appease Beautiful Moon's spirit?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the fan important to Snow Flower and Lily?

2. Is Elder Sister happy after she is married?

3. Describe the diviner's visit to Lily's home when she was five.

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

5. Describe Lily's childhood home.

6. Describe Lily and Snow Flower when they are fifteen.

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

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

9. What does Snow Flower learn from Lily when she stays at Lily's home?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Lily's feelings of betrayal about Snow Flower's true family circumstances. Why did Madame Wang arrange the laotong relationship between Snow Flower and Lily? Why does Lily's mother keep it a secret from Lily?

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

Women are described in the novel as a "worthless branch" and weak. How does Lily show strength and value throughout her life as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend? How does she continue to become a stronger person as she ages?

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This section contains 762 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample