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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 Wang Lung vow he must do in the end of Chapter 12?

2. Who is the priority in Wang Lung's home when the family is starving in Chapter 9?

3. How many sticks of incense does Wang Lung burn at the temple of the earth after his son is born in Chapter 4?

4. How many children does Wang Lung's uncle have in Chapter 7?

5. How many young lords are described at the House of Hwang in Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. What about Wang Lung's uncle's family vexes Wang Lung in Chapter 7?

2. What information does Wang Lung learn from others on the train in Chapter 11?

3. How does O-lan go about earning money to keep her family alive once they've reached the city in Chapter 11?

4. What does Wang Lung's father complain about in Chapter 1?

5. How does O-lan describe the fall of the House of Hwang in Chapter 5?

6. How does Wang Lung's uncle respond when Wang Lung yells at him in Chapter 7?

7. How does Wang Lung perceive the city of Kiangsu in Chapter 12?

8. How does Wang Lung respond when he discovers O-lan's jewels in Chapter 16?

9. Describe O-lan's actions when she comes to Wang Lung's home. How does Wang Lung perceive his wife?

10. Where do Wang Lung and O-lan go on the second day of the New Year in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the character of Wang Lung’s father in the novel. What role does Wang Lung’s father play in Wang Lung’s actions, objectives, and choices in the narrative? How would you describe Wang Lung’s relationship with his father? How many siblings does Wang Lung have?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the characters of Wang Lung’s uncle and aunt in The Good Earth. How does Wang Lung differ as a farmer and a businessman from his uncle? How does Wang Lung’s aunt differ from O-lan? Are these characters likable? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of the “poor fool” in The Good Earth. What has caused this character’s mental disabilities? How does Wang Lung feel about this character and what is their relationship like? How is this character perceived by O-lan?

(see the answer keys)

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