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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 long has it been since the death of Wang Lung's mother in the beginning of Chapter 1?

2. What does Wang Lung say he would buy if he had the riches of the wealthy in Chapter 14?

3. What does Wang Lung do for work when he first arrives in the city in the south in Chapter 11?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What about Wang Lung's uncle's family vexes Wang Lung in Chapter 7?

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

9. What does Wang Lung vow to do in regards to his land in Chapter 6?

10. What information does Ching relate to Wang Lung when he returns to his land in Chapter 15?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the plot structure of The Good Earth. Where does the exposition transition to rising action? Where does the climax take place? What are the conflicts that the protagonist faces in the climax? How are these conflicts resolved in the denouement?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of superstition, faith, and luck in The Good Earth. What symbolism relates to these themes? What color is symbolic for fortune and luck to Wang Lung? How are these themes developed through character and setting in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the Great House of Hwang in The Good Earth. Where is the house located? How is its architecture described? Where do the Old Master and Old Mistress live? Why does Wang Lung visit and revisit the House of Hwang in the novel?

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