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

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

3. What is Lily's title at the beginning of the novel?

4. Who are "little daughters-in-law"?

5. What are the girls fed to soften their bones?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lily help Snow Flower as she prepares to marry?

2. What does Lily learn when her lessons begin in the women's chambers?

3. What does Lily think of her new husband?

4. Is Lily worried about the note Snow Flower sends with the fan when Lily leaves her home for her wedding?

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

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

7. What does Lily think about when she sees her sitting chair?

8. Does Lily accept Snow Flower's invitation to be her laotong?

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

10. What does Madame Wang suggest is the reason Lily is not invited to Snow Flower's home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are girls and women restricted in their interaction with the larger world outside their homes? In what way does a "women's chamber" confine them? Provide three examples of how Lily catches glimpses of the world in her "daughter days."

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Lily in her role as a mother. How does she show love toward her children? Is she similar to her own mother in any way?

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