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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 Wang Lung not turn away his uncle in Chapter 20?

2. For how long does the grain merchant insist his daughter must wait until she is wed to Wang Lung's eldest son in Chapter 23?

3. What does O-lan promise Wang Lung she will do for their youngest daughter in Chapter 18?

4. What name does the schoolmaster give to Wang Lung's eldest son in Chapter 17?

5. Wang Lung says in Chapter 20, "When a man's house is full of wild dogs he must" do what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Wang Lung respond when O-lan warns him of his eldest son visiting Lotus in Chapter 24?

2. What does Wang Lung do in preparation for Lotus's arrival at his home in Chapter 20? How is his behavior affected?

3. What does O-lan say regarding Cuckoo as she lays dying in Chapter 26?

4. How does Wang Lung respond when he discovers his eldest son in Lotus's court in Chapter 24?

5. What does Wang Lung's young cousin do that causes conflict in Wang Lung's house in Chapter 31?

6. How is Lotus's arrival at Wang Lung's home described in Chapter 20? Who is present for her arrival?

7. How does Wang Lung perceive his family and children in Chapter 17?

8. What does Wang Lung do in order to gain control over his uncle and his family in Chapter 28?

9. How does Wang Lung's family go about relocating to the city in Chapter 29? Who is the last to leave the land?

10. What impact does O-lan's illness have on Wang Lung's household in Chapter 26?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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