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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 family take notice in terms of Dai-yu's situation?

2. In order to cure Bao-yu of his lust of the mind, he is given a bride named _____.

3. Who warns Yu-cun not to arrest Xue?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Vanitas change his name to Brother Amor?

2. 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?

3. Hypothesize over the influence Bao-yu's father has on him despite his consistently disapproving attitude towards Bao-yu.

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

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

6. What is your opinion of Aroma's decision to allow Bao-yu to "have his way" with her following her discovery of his dream?

7. In what ways is more of Xi-feng's character revealed in her thoughts about Qin-shi and her dealings with Jia Rui?

8. How does superstition appear in the events surrounding Jia Rui?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is the society portrayed in the novel shown to be strongly familial? In your answer, comment upon the familial influences felt by Bao-yu.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the central dramatic device of the novel, the love triangle between Bao-yu, Dai-yu and Bao-chai, and how it is used to generate conflict and drama and to maintain the reader's interest.

(see the answer keys)

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