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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. Where does Min send Tree-ear the second day?

2. What does Tree-ear do with the clay after he mixes it?

3. What happens when Tree-ear is told to leave Crane-man?

4. Why did potters try to find gray-brown clay?

5. Who is Min?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Tree-ear do about the rice container? What was the farmer's response?

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

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

4. What does Tree-ear do with his bowl the next day of work and what happens to the food?

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

6. What does Tree-ear do at Min's house?

7. How does Tree-ear break one of Min's boxes?

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

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

10. How does Crane-man feel about Tree-ear's behavior?

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

Tree-ear begins to bring half of his mid-day lunch home to Crane-man and eventually a whole bowl as Min's wife begins to fill the bowl after the midday. Crane-man is always excited and grateful for the food.

1. Do you think it would be difficult to be grateful in Crane-man's shoes since he is homeless, crippled, and often has little to eat? Why or why not? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. What are some of the ways in which Crane-man manages to have a good outlook on life in spite of his hardships? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of A Single Shard, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in A Single Shard. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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