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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. How does Tree-ear act towards Crane-man when he comes back to the bridge after his pack is done?

2. Why was Tree-ear happy with Min's behavior over the red and white clay?

3. What did the bandits do with the two vases?

4. What was the name of the river Tree-ear could see from the Rock of Falling Flowers?

5. In what shape was Min making his pottery in anticipation of the emissary's final visit?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happens with the pots that Tree-ear has guarded?

3. 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?

4. What does Tree-ear realize he can do?

5. What happens when the emissary returns to the village?

6. How does Tree-ear feel and what does he do after the two men leave him at the Rock?

7. What does Min's wife tell Tree-ear about a possible living arrangement? What does Min tell Tree-ear to do at the end of the book?

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

9. What does Min do over the next few months?

10. How does Tree-ear feel when he arrives back in Ch'ulp'o and where does Min's wife send him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Crane-man and Tree-ear are very poor and homeless.

1. Crane-man is reluctant to take help from Min's wife even though he's hungry. Discuss what might be meant by the cliche "false pride" in this situation.

2. Discuss whether you think every human being has the right to food, clothing and shelter whether they can pay for those or not. Include examples from A Single Shard and your own life to support your discussion.

3. Discuss what you think would happen to Crane-man and Tree-ear if they lived in the United States in the present day. Include in your discussion how you think their problems could be solved.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of A Single Shard and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why A Single Shard is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Tree-ear sees rice falling from a farmer's pack and he debates telling the man or just waiting until the farmer is gone and picking up the rice. His honesty won't let him steal. He catches up to the farmer who repairs his pack. The farmer tells Tree-ear he can have all the rice that has fallen to the ground.Tree-ear is ecstatic for this means he and Crane-man will eat well for several days.

1. How does the cliche, "Honesty is the best policy" relate to the above? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. If Tree-ear had not told the farmer he and Crane-man could have eaten for more than several days. Even so, do you think Tree-ear was correct in doing what he did? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Crane-man is proud that Tree-ear chose to be honest. Explain why you think Crane-man felt this way. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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