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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 does Bensheng's donkey eat too much of that makes its stomach burst?

2. When Manna speaks to someone outside their apartment, what does Lin notice her voice is still full of?

3. What does Geng Yang do in Manna's dream?

4. Why does Manna blame Lin for her rape?

5. What has Lin done to help Manna through her illness?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lin think is the effect of Manna's suffering?

2. Is Shuyu simple-minded?

3. How does Lin realize the reason he hasn't received a promotion in ten years?

4. What are the double standards of blame in Chapter 10?

5. Is Lin going to leave Manna?

6. What about seeing Geng Yang upsets Manna so much?

7. Why does Lin think he and Manna shouldn't make love so much?

8. Why doesn't Lin stay in the delivery room while Manna is giving birth?

9. How do Manna's worst fears appear to be coming true in Chapter 11?

10. Is Manna the type of lover Lin predicted?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the parallels between the characters and the political context of China. What do the characters represent about the evolving political organization of China? What role do Chinese politics play in the lives of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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