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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 did Tree-ear visit the kiln every night in Chapter 6?

2. What did Crane-man try to do during the day when Tree-ear was working?

3. Why does Tree-ear feel guilty?

4. Where does Tree-ear hide his bowl?

5. Where did Tree-ear used to live?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tree-ear finally find out what Kang is doing?

2. What does Min do the first thing when Tree-ear arrives on his second morning?

3. What does Tree-ear ask Min when his nine days are done and what is Min's response?

4. What does Min's wife give Tree-ear and what does Tree-ear do with the gift?

5. What work of Min's does Tree-ear see the first time he goes to Min's house?

6. What does Tree-ear try to find out and how does his quest end?

7. How does time pass for Tree-ear and his new job and what is the rotation of his jobs?

8. Whom does Tree-ear see on his way to work one day and what does the incident suggest to Tree-ear?

9. What was Tree-ear doing when he saw a rice container had a leak?

10. What exciting news reaches the village in Chapter 6?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Tree-ear from the beginning of the book to who he is at the end of the book. How are they similar? How are they different? Which person do you like more? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Crane-man and Min. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in A Single Shard help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in A Single Shard. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Park chooses the symbols she does? Do you think Park consciously decides upon the symbols to represent various elements of A Single Shard? Why or why not.

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in A Single Shard. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Park chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Park's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Park use too many or too few literary techniques? State to which of the five major elements of fiction each literary device is related (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Tree-ear seems to be an honest, hard-working, and responsible boy.

1. Knowing what you know of Tree-ear's life thus far, how is do you think he could have developed the traits he demonstrates by his courage and persistence? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. What do you think is shown by Tree-ear's actions, given that Tree-ear going to Songdo by walking might be similar to a boy walking to a town 200 miles away in our present society? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

3. Do you think Tree-ear's behavior and actions are consistent with his age? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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