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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. Why does Hong decide he can now leave his brother?

2. How does Hong feel while Chen is making up his mind about a position?

3. What is the palace examination?

4. What does the ship do in its next port?

5. What happens to Hong's money?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is General Ma disappointed about Hong and what does he invite Hong to do?

3. How does Chen answer the final question on the examination, and why is troubled by it?

4. What does Hong do while Chen is studying?

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

6. How far do the brothers take the Grand Canal, and what are they told at the end of it? What do they decide to do about the information?

7. How does Wang Chih get away from the army?

8. What happens when Hong goes to deliver his letter from Ye Pan?

9. What happens when Hong visits a fortune teller?

10. Where does the boat stop and Chen looks for Meng Dafu? What do the brothers do after that?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "The Examination". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bosse chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Bosse chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss Bosse's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Bosse use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 2

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?

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 1,212 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample