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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 is Lin's concern about Manna becoming engaged to another man?

2. At the restaurant, what is Geng Yang's advice for Lin to encourage his wife to consent to a divorce?

3. Why can't anyone play cards as the people in Lin's dream do?

4. What is Lin's favorite part of visiting home?

5. Why does Manna want to learn to ride a bicycle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What about Lin's response to Manna's prospective engagement make him rethink his attachment?

2. Although a relationship between Manna and Liang Meng is Lin's idea, what is his attitude? Why?

3. How does Lin share Manna's feelings about Geng Yang?

4. Why is Lin ashamed that he asks Manna to share the cost of the bribe?

5. What does Lin's daydream about the nurses say about him?

6. How does Lin change the direction of his and Manna's relationship as his divorce seems less and less likely?

7. How is Lin painted to be at fault through Chapter 9?

8. Why is Manna's meeting with Commissar Wei very pleasant?

9. After Lin begins to try in earnest to divorce Shuyu, what are the new dilemmas that arise?

10. What is the relationship Manna Wu invents between Lin Kong and Pinging Ma? Why does Manna think Pingping is more appealing to Lin than she is?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The discretion in "Waiting" is completely symmetrical: three parts with twelve chapters each. Write an essay discussing the relevance of how and when the book is divided, why this is, and what the organization reveals about the narrative, characters, and themes, and how it assists them.

Essay Topic 2

Ha Jin frequently uses animal imagery in reference to his characters. Write an essay discussing Ha Jin's tendencies of anthropomorphizing his characters and what significance his choices of animals hold for his characters.

Essay Topic 3

Manna has had many suitors through "Waiting." Respond to the following questions:

- What draws Manna to these men?

- What repels Manna from these men?

- How much control does Manna have over her life?

(see the answer keys)

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