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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 statement does O-lan make regarding the rich in Chapter 16?

2. Who assists O-lan in childbirth in Chapter 3?

3. What is the crashing sound that Wang Lung's family observes from their hut in Chapter 14?

4. What do the noodles signify that Wang Lung's family eats on his son's first month birthday in Chapter 4?

5. What is described in Chapter 1 as the first sound that Wang Lung hears each morning when he awakens?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does O-lan describe the fall of the House of Hwang in Chapter 5?

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

3. What conflict does Wang Lung encounter at the barber's in Chapter 1?

4. How do Wang Lung and his family reach the city in the south in Chapter 10?

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

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

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

8. What activities take place as the New Year celebration approaches in Chapter 5?

9. What does Wang Lung's father complain about in Chapter 1?

10. How does O-lan go about earning money to keep her family alive once they've reached the city in Chapter 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of the “poor fool” in The Good Earth. What has caused this character’s mental disabilities? How does Wang Lung feel about this character and what is their relationship like? How is this character perceived by O-lan?

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

Discuss the character of O-lan in The Good Earth. How old is O-lan when she is sold into slavery? What leads to O-lan’s marriage to Wang Lung? Do you think that O-lan is happy to be married? Why or why not? How does O-lan’s character evolve in the course of the narrative?

(see the answer keys)

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