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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 happens to Jia Zheng's dislike for Bao-yu towards the end of the novel?

2. Where does Yuan-chun order that the girls of the house and Bao-yu be allowed to live?

3. What does Bao-yu call for an end for in his altered poem?

4. What important event is the Prince of Bei-jing present for?

5. What does Jia-lian use as his bedroom while his daughter is ill?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Aroma manipulate Bao-yu in Chapter 19?

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

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

5. In Chapter 20, how does Bao-yu show that he cares about Dai-yu?

6. In what ways are Bao-yu's intellectual abilities displayed in the events surrounding Yuan-chun's visit?

7. How is the relationship between Bao-yu and his servants developed in the events after Yuan-chun's visit?

8. What does the way the Jia family undertake preparations for Yuan-chun's visit show about their character when it comes to money?

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

10. What facets of the relationships between masters/mistresses and servants are shown in the conflict between Jia Lian, Xi-feng, and Patience?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The fact that Bao-yu eventually chooses to be with Bao-chai and not Dai-yu, his supposed predestined soulmate of the past and future, comes as a surprise. Discuss the reasons why the author would choose to take the narrative in this direction.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The central character of Bao-yu has a very clear arc of development. Discuss this with particular focus on the different levels of maturity that he attains and how he attains them.

(see the answer keys)

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