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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 do Duke of Ning-guo and Duke of Ring-guo believe will happen if Bao-yu engages in sexual pleasure?

2. What does Grannie finally admit to Zhou under pressure?

3. Grannie Liu visits the Rong Mansion under the cover of seeing Mrs. Zhou, an old friend, but what is she really looking for?

4. What does Aroma realize about Bao-yu as she helps him redress after his nap?

5. Who settles the boy in Qin Shi's room?

Short Essay Questions

1. Although the Jia family throws a spectacular birthday party for Jia Jing even though he refuses to leave the monastery to attend, much of the conversation centers on Qin-shi's puzzling illness. Hypothesize as to why this is.

2. Why does Xi-feng hush Bao-yu when he questions the drunken servant cursing the Jia family at the Ning house?

3. Discuss briefly the ways in which Dai-yu's personality is developed during her first days in the Jia household.

4. Why would Dai-yu find it strange that Xi-feng appears to be in charge of household affairs?

5. Is the fact that Dai-yu is offered flowers last in Chapter 7 a reasonable reflection of her status in the house at that time?

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

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

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

10. What can be understood from Chinese diplomatic culture when considering Bao-yu's meeting with Prince Qinzhong?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the framing story of the stone's background an effective foundation for the author to build the rest of the action upon?

Essay Topic 2

Explore the relationship between "real" and "fantastic" worlds in the novel with a particular focus on The Land of Illusion and what influence it brings upon the main story.

Essay Topic 3

What is the author's reasoning behind having such a large number of important and clearly defined characters? Illustrate your answer with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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