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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. Who is Yuying?

2. What do Hong and Chen give two woman sitting near a farmhouse?

3. What kind of format is the final exam?

4. What does Hong do with the letters from Ye Pan and the one from Meng Dafu?

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

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 happens when Chen is invited out by three other scholars?

3. What does Hong tell the pirates about the letters he carries?

4. Where does Hong go when he escapes the pirates and who helps him?

5. What happens when Hong goes to deliver his letter from Ye Pan?

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

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

8. What is the examination in Beijing going to be?

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

10. What happens when Hong visits a fortune teller?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "The Examination", 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 "The Examination". (They 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.

4. Many writers and critics say there are only a few plots in the world of fiction; it's what an author does with a plot that distinguishes a mediocre book from an outstanding book. Respond to this idea, using examples from "The Examination" and other books you have read.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss how the setting informs the plot in "The Examination".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "The Examination". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of this novel. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

Women are not equals with men in China in the 12th century. Discuss the following:

1. Define the term "gender."

2. Discuss the Chinese cultural definitions of gender gender during the era of "The Examination" and the expectations for each gender. Do any of those expectations exist today?

3. Would you like to live in a culture that has those expectations for men and women that are revealed in "The Examination"? Discuss fully with examples from the text.

4. Are women the only ones harmed by gender-based expectations? Why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

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