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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 was the emissary doing when Tree-ear was brought before him?

2. How many soldiers stood guard at the palace gate?

3. How were the openings in the kiln sealed?

4. Where does the emissary wish Min to bring any inlay vessels he makes?

5. What did Tree-ear do on the rock after the bandits left?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens on the sixth day of Tree-ear's journey and how does he feel about it?

2. In Chapter 7, what does Tree-ear finally tell Min and what does Min have Tree-ear do? What does Tree-ear realize he has learned when he performs his task?

3. What do Tree-ear and Min do with the pots early in the morning and what does Tree-ear to for several days after?

4. How does Tree-ear feel about what Min said to him?

5. What does Tree-ear first do at the Rock of Falling Flowers?

6. How does Crane-man feel when Tree-ear tells him of his proposal? What does Crane-man do for the trip? How does Min upset Tree-ear?

7. What concerns Min about the emissary's kindness and what does Tree-ear tell Min's wife?

8. What does Min say to Tree-ear's suggestion and what is Tree-ear's response to her?

9. Why does Min make multiple versions of the same pot?

10. What does Min tell Tree-ear when he finds him upon returning home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A Single Shard takes place in the twelfth century in Korea.

1. Discuss the differences you see in the technological level between Tree-ear's time. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

2. Discuss the differences and similarities you see between family and social life in Tree-ear's era and your own. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. Discuss why you would like to live in Tree-ear's time and why you would not like to live then. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

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

A great deal of detail about making pottery is contained in A Single Shard. In the era in which Tree-ear lived pottery was used for hundreds of purposes. Any piece of pottery fired in the proper shape would be functional and yet potters spent many extra hours making pieces that were both functional and beautiful.

1. From the descriptions in the book about making pottery explain, in detail, with examples why a potter would be considered an artist.

2. Discuss the importance of beauty in functional pieces of pottery include a brief discussion of human emotional and physical response to beauty. This may require research. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Many of the uses pottery had in the twelfth century have been replaced by plastic in the present day. Discuss what affects you believe using plastic might have on human culture. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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