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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the family take notice in terms of Dai-yu's situation?
(a) She is a jovial child.
(b) She is very tall and elegant.
(c) She is in a weakened state.
(d) She is an outspoken girl.

2. What is the alleged, but inaccurate, reason given for Jia Rui becoming ill?
(a) His many liaisons with prostitutes.
(b) An ancient curse.
(c) His inability to have Xi-feng.
(d) His lack of respect for his parents.

3. Who does Jia Rui nearly sleep with accidentally?
(a) Qin-shi.
(b) Aroma.
(c) Xi-feng.
(d) Jia Rong.

4. From what country is the family this story is about?
(a) China.
(b) Vietnam.
(c) Mongolia.
(d) Japan.

5. What does Yu-cun do to the usher as a result of feeling uncomfortable around him?
(a) Kills the usher's father.
(b) Flees the city.
(c) Has the usher arrested.
(d) Calls in a complaint to the police anonymously.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the goddess in the opening chapter in the middle of doing?

2. Although the songs tell the story of his family's life, Bao-yu is bored and does not understand what?

3. What is the name of the goddess in the opening chapter?

4. Knowing she is to fulfill all of Bao-yu's needs, Aroma allows him to _____.

5. What happens to Jia Rui at the time of his first secret meeting?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author establish karma as a central theme in Chapter 1?

2. How are Bao-yu's father's sentiments about Bao-yu depicted in Chapter 9?

3. Explore the meaning/possible symbolism behind Bao-yu's experience in the dream in Chapter 5.

4. What can we understand from Zhen Shi-yin's dream in the first chapter?

5. How does Bao-yu use family ties to his advantage during the events at the school?

6. What does the story of Ying-lian and Feng Yuan suggest about the role of fate and karma in the world of the novel?

7. How does the author make it clear in Chapter 1 that the reader should expect an element of the supernatural in the novel?

8. How is the divide between rich and poor developed in Chapter 2?

9. How does the connection between Bao-yu and Bao-chai deepen in Chapter 7?

10. How does the story of Jia Rui teach a lesson about undue lust?

(see the answer keys)

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