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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 the attitude of Jia Zheng's literary friends towards Bao-yu?

2. Who scolds the maids for their mess?

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

4. What is Yuan-chun shocked by when she first sees the garden?

5. Who are the invitees to Bao-yu's birthday party?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why do the children move into the Prospect Garden?

4. How is Qin-shi's honor and devotion to family seen before she dies?

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

6. What does Bao-yu add to the book he is reading, and how does Dai-yu respond?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Choose one of the following characters and discuss his or her relationship with and impact upon Bao-yu.

• Xi-feng

• Aroma

• Qin-shi

• Qin Zhong

Essay Topic 3

Is the author justified in including a large number of coincidences (for example Dai-yu visiting Bao-chai at the same time as Bao-yu, or Xi-feng entering the room just as Patience confronts Jia Lian) in the novel? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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