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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Daiyun upset with Chen?
(a) For not asking her to marry him.
(b) For going off with Hong and not promising her a present.
(c) For not asking her to accompany him.
(d) For leaving the village.

2. What do Hong and Lu think is unlikely?
(a) That they will find a girl willing to come to a tiny village.
(b) That either boy will return.
(c) That Chen will return to his native village.
(d) That Hong will pass the exams.

3. What does Hong make sure of in Chongqing?
(a) That Chen is charged only the reduced rate for scholars.
(b) That the White Lotus contact knows he is there.
(c) That Chen gets several nights of good sleep.
(d) That his letters are sent securely.

4. To whom does Zhu Tong speak as an equal?
(a) Bao.
(b) Chen.
(c) Hong.
(d) Lu.

5. Why is Bao angry with Hong?
(a) For working so hard in the rice paddies.
(b) For being disrespectful to the elderly neighbor.
(c) For not giving his father any of his winnings.
(d) For refusing to meet the bride she has found for him.

6. What does Chen decide about Confucius?
(a) He would not approve of trying to bribe someone.
(b) He would not pass these exams.
(c) He would think bribing is acceptable.
(d) He would not sit for these exams.

7. What does Landlord Ma do when he gets upset with Chen?
(a) Slaps him.
(b) Orders him out of his house.
(c) Insults him.
(d) Challenges him to a duel.

8. What did Lao Chen learn by age four?
(a) More Chinese characters than most adults ever learn.
(b) To play the guzheng.
(c) To play the ruan.
(d) To write perfect haiku.

9. What does Hong worry about as he and Chen are walking?
(a) Whether Chen will listen to him.
(b) The many old men and women who are beggars.
(c) The many soldiers on the road.
(d) The locusts he sees on the crops.

10. What is the group that is committed to avenging social injustice?
(a) The White Lotus.
(b) The Ninjas.
(c) The Purple Rose.
(d) The Lapi.

11. Who is Zhu Tong?
(a) The schoolmaster in the village.
(b) A retired soldier.
(c) The provincial manager.
(d) A retired monk.

12. To what does the story flashback?
(a) To the story of how Chen is invited to take the exam.
(b) To Bao's marriage.
(c) To Lu's wife dying.
(d) To Lu's marriage.

13. What does Hong promise Fei Qun?
(a) To make Chen study several hours every night.
(b) To personally deliver a letter.
(c) To make sure Chen arrives at the examination on time.
(d) To make Chen write down his schedule.

14. What do Hong and Chen do in Chongqing?
(a) Purchase passage to Wuhan.
(b) Work for several weeks to earn money.
(c) Send a message to Lu.
(d) Meet up with Ding again.

15. In what century is "The Examination" set?
(a) 18th.
(b) 15th.
(c) 20th.
(d) 16th.

Short Answer Questions

1. What right does Chen earn?

2. Who is the third son in the family?

3. What does Ye Pan give Hong before Hong leaves?

4. Who is Wujiang?

5. What are the customs officers doing?

(see the answer keys)

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