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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 does Hong do as Chen is studying?

2. How does Hong feel while Chen is making up his mind about a position?

3. What is Meng's occupation?

4. What is Hong expected to do if he is caught on a mission for the White Lotus?

5. What does the ship do in its next port?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is available to Chen for a position, what is he considering and how does Hong feel about Chen making up his mind?

2. What do the brothers decide to do when they leave the army, who do they meet and how does Chen feel about him?

3. What happens when Chen is invited out by three other scholars?

4. What happens with Hong after he receives the message from Tang?

5. Why is General Ma disappointed about Hong and what does he invite Hong to do?

6. How is Hong going to get a message from Tang Wangai?

7. How is Chen feeling when he starts his examination in Beijing and how does he feel at the end of it?

8. What does Chen do that ends his friendship with Yuying and what does she do about it?

9. How did Chen do on the examination, what is he called and who gives him his diploma?

10. What happens as Hong is with the army about Wang Chih and the outpost where he was held?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of "The Examination" and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of "The Examination" and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot of "The Examination"?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "The Examination" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Discuss the theme of choice in "The Examination". Who makes wise choices? Who makes unwise choices?

2. Debate the following statement in an argument/persuasion essay: Making several poor choices one after the other makes it more likely one will continue to make poor choices.

3. Rewrite the ending with Chen making a different choice at some point in his journey. How did it change the book?

(see the answer keys)

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