Asia Euro University

Literature Studies 302

Story Overview
The Good Earth

1. When Wang Lung is ready to get married, why does his father oppose his choice of a
pretty woman?
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2. What is Wang Lung’s reaction upon first seeing O-lan?
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3. What does O-lan think of Wang Lung in the early days of their marriage?
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4. What does The Good Earth reveal about the status of women in traditional Chinese
culture?
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5. Why can’t Wang Lung refuse his uncle’s demands?
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6. Why does Wang Lung rent the House of Hwang?
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7. How does Wang lung deal with the problems his uncle causes him?
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8. What does Wang Lung do with O-lan’s two pearls?
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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302
9. Why does Wang Lung rise to wealth and influence?
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10. What happens to the first infant daughter born to Wang Lung and O-lan? Why?
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11. Which of the following best characterizes Wang Lung’s religion?
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12. How does Wang Lung resemble Old Master Hwang?
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13. Judging from the Good Earth, what color has special significance in traditional Chinese
culture?
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14. Why is Wang Lung so devastated by Ching’s death?
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15. Why is there so much hostility between Wang Lung’s two oldest sons?
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16. What happens to Wang Lung’s third son?
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17. why does the Hwang family become poor ?
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18. How does Wang Lung feel about his affair with Pear Blossom?
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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302
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19. How do Wang lung’s sons feel about his affair with Pear, Lotus?
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20. Raise the points about Wang lung’s relationship with his sons?
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21. Why does O-lan hate Cuckoo?
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22. When does Wang Lung come to appreciate everything that O-lan has done for him?
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23. In the Good Earth, what is the only good thing that truly lasts?
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24. Why does Wang Lung send his younger daughter to her future husband’s family so
early?
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25. When Lotus comes to Wang Lung’s household, what is her primary purpose?
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26. Sketch out the characteristic of Wang Long’ and Olan’
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27. Is Wang long a good father and husband?
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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302
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28. List at least FOUR main factors that contribute to the change/development in Wang
Lung’s character. Briefly explain each factor. (3 marks)
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Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare

Comprehension and Discussion Questions

Work in groups of five to discuss and answer the following questions.

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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302

1. Describe the relationship and the social status of the two families – the Capulets and
the Montages .
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2. According to the story, describe the condition of Italian society at that time.
What can we learn about the tradition and custom of those Italians at that time?
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3. How does Romeo meet and fall in love with Juliet?
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4. Describe the possible causes of the sudden love --bound relationship/intimacy of
Romeo and Juliet.
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5. Discuss how realistic do you find it to be in the sudden change of Romeo’s state of
mind- his love for Rosaline is instantly replaced by his love for Juliet.
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6. What is different about Paris’ approach to Juliet compared with Romeo’s?
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7. What do you think of Paris? What admirable qualities does he have?
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8. How has Lord Capulet’s view about his daughter’s marriage changed ?
What are the possible causes of this change ?
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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302
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9. Discuss all possible reasons that lead to the fight between Tybalt and Mercutio.
What impacts does the fight have ?
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10.What significance do you think has the fight between Tybalt and Mercutio for the
development of the story ‘Romeo and Juliet’ ?
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11. Is it justified for the Price to exile Romeo ? Why / Why not ?
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12. Concerning the news of Romeo’s banishment, compare and contrast Romeo’s
reaction with Juliet’s .How is each of their emotional feelings handled ? Describe
the attitude of the Father and the Nurse ?
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13. How do the adults (The Father, the Nurse, . . .) affect the relationship and the
actions of Romeo and Juliet ? Are the adults in any way responsible?
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14. Briefly describe the plan Father Laurence has for Juliet to avoid her marriage to
Paris. What makes his plan go astray?
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15. Discuss suicide and why Juliet and Romeo are drawn to this end. Could they have
made different choice ?
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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302
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16. What makes ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a tragic story? What are the possible causes of the
tragedy in the story Romeo and Juliet.?
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17. Juliet is a very young girl; however, she shoulders a great deal of responsibility and
manages a series of very difficult situations .
A. Discuss Juliet’s maturity level and compare it to Romeo’s.
B. Compare Juliet early in the story with Juliet later in the story.
How has she changed? Why did those changes occur?
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18. Analyze the following characters:
A. Romeo B. Juliet C. Mercutio D. Tybalt E. Father Laurence

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19. A. “Forbidden love tastes sweeter.”
B. “Marry in haste, repent at leisure.”
Discuss and explain with examples from the story and say whether you agree or
not. Repent v. feel deep sorrow about one’s actions, etc
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20. Discuss the theme(s) and message(s) of the story, Romeo and Juliet.
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 Asia Euro University
Literature Studies 302
21. Romeo and Juliet are the two main characters in the story; however, Juliet is said to be
the strongest character. What qualities of hers do you think make her appeals as such to
the readers?
Find evidence and examples in the story to support. …………………………………..
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22. Who constitutes the death of the Romeo and Juliet? List at least FOUR main causes and
explain each cause with the examples from the story. (3 marks)
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