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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 is purchased for Yuan-chun's first visit to her garden?

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

3. What does Xi-feng's leadership bring to the Ning house?

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

5. Who helps Bao-yu with writing poems for Yuan-chun?

Short Essay Questions

1. Hypothesize as to why Bao-yu's reaction to Qin-shi's death so violent.

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

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

4. For what reason(s) might Bao-yu have become discontented living in the Prospect Garden?

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

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

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

8. Discuss Yuan-chun's reaction upon her first visit home.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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

(see the answer keys)

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