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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. They reach the Ford of Error where Bao-yu finds himself being pulled into _____.

2. Who sends Yu-cun to the capitol with his daughter Dai-yu?

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

4. What is the name of the prestigious family about which the story is told?

5. What feeling is Bao-yu filled with in his dream?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Despite his limited presence, what becomes clear about Bao-yu during the first few episodes that involve him?

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

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. Describe Bao-yu's relationship to alcohol in Chapter 8.

7. In what way does Dai-yu express her jealousy and somewhat obsessive attitude towards Bao-yu in the beginning of Chapter 9?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the characters of Dai-yu and Bao-chai. How are they similar? How are they different?

Essay Topic 2

Because he is won over and particularly moved by the story of the stone, it could be said that Vanitas (later Brother Amor) is the character readers should identify with most. Comment upon this idea, explaining in the process how or why the story is "not just another erotic romance" as the stone itself says.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss whether the use of symbolism in the novel is effective. Make reference to the stone of the title and at least two other examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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