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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. Wang Lung's uncle says to him in Chapter 7, "I am a man of" what?

2. What is sewn onto the front of the hat that O-lin has made for her son when she goes to the House of Hwang in Chapter 5?

3. How many young lords are described at the House of Hwang in Chapter 5?

4. How much money does Wang Lung spend on an ox in Chapter 15?

5. What are the New Year's cakes called that O-lan makes in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What preparations does Wang Lung make when he returns to his land in Chapter 15?

4. How does Wang Lung respond when he discovers O-lan's jewels in Chapter 16?

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

6. What information does Wang Lung learn from others on the train in Chapter 11?

7. What leads to Wang Lung purchasing more land from the House of Hwang in Chapter 8?

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

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

10. How has the atmosphere of the city changed in Chapter 14? What has led to the changes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the character of Wang Lung’s father in the novel. What role does Wang Lung’s father play in Wang Lung’s actions, objectives, and choices in the narrative? How would you describe Wang Lung’s relationship with his father? How many siblings does Wang Lung have?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and analyze the character of Wang Lung as the protagonist of The Good Earth. How old is Wang Lung when his character is first introduced? How old is he when the novel ends? How does Wang Lung change in the course of the novel? What are Wang Lung’s main objectives in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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