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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 does the magistrate say will happen the next day?

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

3. What has Chen done as a result of his mother's tutelage?

4. For what did the local schoolmaster resent Chen?

5. Who is Weijun?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hong do while Chen is taking his exam?

2. What did Chen need in order to take the first examination and how did he get it?

3. What happens after Chen is shown to his testing cubicle?

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

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

6. How does Hong's match turn out?

7. What has Hong heard about locust, what is his concern and how does Chen respond to that concern?

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

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

10. What surprises Hong when the boys leave on their journey and how does Chen feel about it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Women are not equals with men in China in the 12th century. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "gender."

2. Discuss the Chinese cultural definitions of gender gender during the era of "The Examination" and the expectations for each gender. Do any of those expectations exist today?

3. Would you like to live in a culture that has those expectations for men and women that are revealed in "The Examination"? Discuss fully with examples from the text.

4. Are women the only ones harmed by gender-based expectations? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider "The Examination" a "good" book? An interesting or enlightening book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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