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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 the doctor that Lily summoned say about Snow Flower's prognosis?

2. What does Snow Flower's husband say when his mother suggests they should not give food to Lily?

3. What does Lily say about Snow Flower's voice when she chants the Yao story?

4. Who do Lily and Snow Flower find sitting around a fire up in the mountain?

5. What taboo do Lily and Snow Flower break?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Lily's reunion with her husband after she comes down from the mountain.

2. Describe Snow Flower and Lily's complaints about their mothers-in-law.

3. How do Lily's feet feel as she climbs the steep mountain path?

4. Describe Lily's son.

5. How does Lily try to help Snow Flower on her deathbed?

6. Describe the Letter of Vituperation.

7. What do the sworn sisters tell Lily about Snow Flower?

8. Describe Snow Flower's second son.

9. Are Snow Flower and Lily's husbands supportive of their laotong friendship after the rebellion?

10. What do Lily and her mother fight about when Lily returns home after Snow Flower's marriage?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 Madame Wang and her role in the novel. Does she seem to have more power as a woman because she has business dealings with men? Why doesn't Lily like her?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 880 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample