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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. How is Hong tortured?

2. Why is Chen torn over the last question?

3. What do three scholars want to do with Chen?

4. How does Chen calm himself as he prepares to take the exam?

5. How does Chen feel about his ranking?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the brothers decide to do when they leave the army, who do they meet and how does Chen feel about him?

2. How does Chen finally decide upon a position?

3. Where do the brothers finally stop after the Yellow River plain and where do they stay there?

4. Where is Hong taken by the pirates, who does he meet and what does that person tell him?

5. What does Hong agree to do with Yao, and what does he insist on first? How do the boys carry out Hong's desire?

6. How did Chen do on the examination, what is he called and who gives him his diploma?

7. What happens as Hong is with the army about Wang Chih and the outpost where he was held?

8. What is the examination in Beijing going to be?

9. What does Hong do while Chen is studying?

10. What happens when Hong visits a fortune teller?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze one major theme of "The Examination". Consider the following: How does one character's actions portray the theme you are analyzing? How does the setting contribute to that theme? Is the theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

2. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of this novel. What are those themes? Is each theme one that you would call a "universal theme"? If so, what other book or novel that you have read also includes this theme. If not, why don't you think it is a "universal" theme?

3. What benefit is there in discussing and analyzing the themes of a work of fiction? Do you think most authors consciously develop themes in their works? Why or why not? Can there be accidental themes? What do you think is one possible "accidental" theme in "The Examination"? Which theme in the book speaks to you the most in your life? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Lao Chen is no exception. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when Chen demonstrates his prodigious powers intellect. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Chen's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think Chen's admirable traits helped him obtain a high position in the government despite his background as a child. Have his flaws impacted his career at all? Do any of those around him seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Examination" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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