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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. When Harv brings a stolen Primer to Nell, why does she throw it on the floor?

2. Who is the four-year-old daughter of Hackworth?

3. After Dr. X guides his ship into the jurisdiction of Judge Fang, what does Dr. X offer to do?

4. What does Hackworth say allows the Primer to be more flexible, albeit more costly?

5. In the Primer, who drives the trolls away from the castle?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Bud Is Prosecuted," how does the trial and sentencing of Bud illuminate the Confucian system of justice that Judge Fang follows?

2. At the gates of Dovetail in "A Morning Stroll Through the Leased Territories," what special skill from the Primer does Nell use to gain the trust and respect of Constable Moore, who guards the town?

3. In "Judge Fang Pays a Visit to the Celestial Kingdom," why is the conversation between Judge Fang and Dr. X vague and inconcrete?

4. What is the significance of Hackworth's actions in "Hackworth Compiles the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer?"

5. In "Hackworth Receives an Unexpected Visit from Inspector Chang," how does Chang exhibit Confucian ideals in his dealings with Hackworth?

6. In "Hackworth's Dilemma," what is Hackworth's dilemma?

7. In "Miranda's Reactions to the Evening's Events," what selfless act does Dinosaur perform and why?

8. As described in "Miranda," what is a full "Jodie" and why does Miranda go through sixteen hours of torture to obtain one?

9. In "Nell and Harv's General Living Situation," why does Harv warn Nell about bad people, and what does he compare them to?

10. In "From the Primer, the Arrival of a Sinister Baron," when Nell and Harv are abused by their mother's newest lover, Burt, how do both Nell and Miranda use the Primer to help Nell?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Give several examples of foreshadowing in "The Diamond Age". Discuss how the author uses that foreshadowing to advance the plot and increase the reader's understanding of the issues at hand.

Essay Topic 2

Describe principles of Confucian justice as exhibited by Judge Fang and Chang in the courtroom and in their interactions with citizens.

Essay Topic 3

Track the gradually developing mother/daughter relationship between Miranda and Nell as it grows throughout the novel by way of the Primer, culminating in Nell's rescue of Miranda using skills she learned from the Primer.

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