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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 practice has Daiyun undergone?

2. Who is Ye Pan?

3. What did Lao Chen learn by age four?

4. What does Chen need that was difficult to get?

5. What is one of the dangers of the river?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hong eventually feel about Lin Shi and what happens to Lin Shi?

2. Where and with whom do the boys live, and why is their life style less than it should be?

3. What do Hong and Chen announce to their father and what is his reaction?

4. Give a brief description of the two boys, Lao Hong and Lao Chen.

5. Who does Hong get to know on the river?

6. What happens as the brothers leave Ma's home?

7. Where does Hong find Ye Pan and what does he do before delivering the letter? What does Ye Pan do when he sees Hong?

8. How does Hong's match turn out?

9. How does Hong intend to help his brother Chen, and what are the names of his two crickets?

10. What does Chen promise his father and what is the likelihood of him keeping that promise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "The Examination". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters most need to grow as humans? Why? Give examples. Why characters seem to have reached close to their full emotional/mental growth? Why? Give examples What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of immaturity in "The Examination". Which characters struggle with immaturity? Why? Which characters seem really healthy emotionally/mentally? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of tradition in "The Examination". What is Chen's view of tradition? Hong's? Pan? Ma? Why is tradition important to some characters? Is anyone willing to abandon traditional viewpoints? Who? What are the positive and negative aspects to tradition?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of "The Examination" and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of "The Examination" and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot of "The Examination"?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Many events that happen in "The Examination" are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze five instances of foreshadowing in "The Examination". Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,035 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample