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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. Where does Xi-feng's carriage briefly stop during the funeral procession for Qin-shi?

2. Which of the following does NOT happen in the wake of Qin-shi's death?

3. What is Dai-yu trying to do when Bao-yu comes to visit her in Chapter 19?

4. With whom does Bao-yu spend his evening after being scolded by Aroma for defending her?

5. In Xi-feng's dream, why is Qin-shi concerned about the family falling on hard times?

Short Essay Questions

1. What can be understood from the relationship between Qin Zhong and Sappy?

2. Analyze Bao-yu's interactions with his father Jia Zheng during the naming party.

3. Why does Jia Zheng finally start to warm to Bao-yu?

4. How does Patience show her loyalty to Xi-feng in Chapter 16?

5. How does Xiang-yun's presence lead Bao-yu to think more highly of Bao-chai?

6. What superstition in Chapter 21 is shown to be false?

7. How do the servants of the house react to Qin-shi's death?

8. Why is Dai-yu overcome with grief as she listens to the words of the actresses rehearsing in the garden?

9. How does the family express their bereavement of and Qin-shi's death to the public?

10. What is revealed about Xi-feng's character in the episode involving a servant woman bringing money to her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the role of sex and sexuality in the novel.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

What is the significance of illness to the story? Discuss with at least three examples and why the author chooses to make these characters ill.

(see the answer keys)

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