View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the grain merchant live that Wang Lung has betrothed his eldest son to in Chapter 25?

2. What does Wang Lung demand from O-lan to give to Lotus in Chapter 19?

3. What is the one great regret that Wang Lung feels as he departs O-lan's funeral in Chapter 26?

4. Who is the grain dealer that Lotus suggests Wang Lung speak to about marrying his son to the grain dealer's daughter in Chapter 23?

5. What do the villagers call Wang Lung instead of "Wang the Farmer" in Chapter 30?

Short Essay Questions

1. How have Wang Lung's business, circumstances, and fate changed in the beginning of Chapter 17?

2. What is significant about Wang Lung's uncle's revelation that he is associated with the redbeards in Chapter 23?

3. How is O-lan's behavior as she lays dying described in Chapter 26?

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

5. How would you describe Wang Lung's sons in Chapter 30? How are each of his sons different?

6. What causes Wang Lung to become restless in Chapter 18?

7. What is the source of Wang Lung's main conflicts in Chapter 30?

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

9. Who looks after the arrangement of Wang Lung's second son's marriage in Chapter 29? How are the arrangements described?

10. What decision does Wang Lung make regarding his second-eldest son in Chapter 25?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the characters of Wang Lung’s uncle and aunt in The Good Earth. How does Wang Lung differ as a farmer and a businessman from his uncle? How does Wang Lung’s aunt differ from O-lan? Are these characters likable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,055 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample