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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 Manna's reaction to knowing she will die soon?

2. Why doesn't Ran Su tell his wife anything?

3. What is Bensheng most jealous of at the end of "Waiting?"

4. What is the subject of the class that Lin teaches orderly nurses?

5. Why does Manna feel sad in the weeks following her wedding?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lin feel about being a father?

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

3. Do people in the hospital view Shuyu as a joke?

4. After River and Lake are healthy again, does Manna and Lin's marriage become right and peaceful?

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

6. In Chapter 12, time accelerates through years. What has changed or stayed the same?

7. Why would Manna Kill herself if she were pregnant?

8. What about Ran Su's blessing makes Manna so upset?

9. Does Lin enjoy his wedding?

10. Why does Lin think they should tell Ran Su about Manna's rape as soon as possible?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The title of "Waiting" is one of the most pivotal aspects of the book. Write an essay discussing the effect waiting has on the characters and their relationships.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about honesty and dishonesty answering the following questions:

- How do characters lie to each other?

- How do characters lie to themselves?

- What effect does honesty have on their lives?

- Which holds characters and relationships together best: lies or honesty?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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