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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 does Wang Lung respond to the news that O-lan is pregnant in Chapter 2?

2. Where does the American woman ask Wang Lung to transport her in Chapter 11?

3. What items did Wang Lung's father take to the House of Hwang to secure Wang Lung's marriage to their slave-girl?

4. What presumably happens to Wang Lung's daughter that is born in Chapter 9?

5. What is the name of the southern city that Wang Lung's family lives in during the famine in Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Wang Lung and O-lan go on the second day of the New Year in Chapter 5?

2. How has Wang Lung's fate changed in Chapter 8? How does he respond to this change of fate?

3. How does Wang Lung perceive the city of Kiangsu in Chapter 12?

4. What event leads to Wang Lung's decision that he must take his family back to the land in Chapter 12?

5. How does Wang Lung's uncle respond when Wang Lung yells at him in Chapter 7?

6. How does Wang Lung perceive his wedding day when he awakens in Chapter 1?

7. What causes Wang Lung to finally decide to take his family to the city in the south in Chapter 9?

8. What actions are taken after O-lan gives birth to a son in Chapter 4? Why?

9. What conflict occurs between Wang Lung and his aunt in Chapter 7?

10. What event leads Wang Lung to stop working as a rickshaw driver in Chapter 14?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast Wang Lung’s sons in the narrative. How are they similar? How are they different? What does Wang Lung expect from each of his sons? Who defies Wang Lung? How?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the meaning of and the role of family in The Good Earth. What does “family” mean to Wang Lung? How do you think the concept of family is different in the novel from within your own culture? Why do you think it is different?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the character of Lotus Flower in the novel. How old do you suppose Lotus is when her character is introduced? Where is she from? How does Lotus differ from O-lan? What attracts Wang Lung to Lotus?

(see the answer keys)

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