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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is Qin Zhong?
(a) Dai-yu's half brother.
(b) Qin-shi's brother.
(c) Qin-shi's half-brother.
(d) Bao-chai's brother.

2. What do Bao-yu and Xi-feng hear as they leave the Ning Mansion?
(a) A baby crying.
(b) A drunken servant cursing the Jia family.
(c) A drunken servant cursing the Ning family.
(d) A maid cursing Xi-feng.

3. Who are the first people who come across the stone after the goddess leaves it there?
(a) A Buddhist and monk.
(b) A monk and Taoist.
(c) A warrior and monk.
(d) A monk and priest.

4. According to the inscription on the stone, what has the stone once been?
(a) A man.
(b) A boat.
(c) A woman.
(d) A dog.

5. Who is brought to life by a magical fictional stone?
(a) Dai-chai.
(b) Son-yu.
(c) Dai-yu.
(d) Xi-feng.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who makes a loud entrance at the Jia residence?

2. Who settles the boy in Qin Shi's room?

3. Who forms deeps friendship with Darling and Precious?

4. Who does the headmaster leave in charge of the school while he is on leave?

5. What is the name of the goddess in the opening chapter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What thematic devices can be drawn from Bao-yu's relationship with women both during his dream and afterward?

2. Although the Jia family throws a spectacular birthday party for Jia Jing even though he refuses to leave the monastery to attend, much of the conversation centers on Qin-shi's puzzling illness. Hypothesize as to why this is.

3. How does the story of Jia Rui teach a lesson about undue lust?

4. In what ways are fear of shame and being poor seen in Chapter 6?

5. Is the fact that Dai-yu is offered flowers last in Chapter 7 a reasonable reflection of her status in the house at that time?

6. Explore the significance of Bao-yu's inability to understand the songs the fairies sing to him about his family history, how to improve himself, and the fates of the women of the household.

7. Why would Dai-yu find it strange that Xi-feng appears to be in charge of household affairs?

8. What events surrounding the trial in Chapter 4 illustrate further the Jia family's decline?

9. How is the divide between rich and poor developed in Chapter 2?

10. How does the connection between Bao-yu and Bao-chai deepen in Chapter 7?

(see the answer keys)

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