“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

”
- John F. Kennedy

SAP 10
Summer 2021
Name: ___________________

1
2
 Academic Honesty A letter from the teacher…

Plagiarism is another form of academic dishonesty. All of the following are

considered plagiarism and should be avoided:
Dear students,
• Turning in someone else’s work as your own
• Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit Congratulations on taking the first step in completing your JD
• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
homework.
• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source
without giving credit For this summer JD, you will be diving into the book The Good
• Copying so many words or ideas from a single source that it makes up Earth by Pearl S. Buck. Through this book and packet, you will be able to
the majority of your own work (weather you give credit or not). The
delve into your inner most thoughts and relate to the characters as you
copying of a paper, even if the source is given, is still plagiarism.
• Any written paper should never be more than 20% direct quotation.
reflect upon life itself. So, trust me when I say this is going to be fun!
Trust me even more when I say that this will be good for you! But trust
me most when I say that I truly hope you have an amazing time doing
Learn more about plagiarism and how to cite your sources at
www.plagiarism.org this assignment.

With the right mindset, you will know that this packet is much
more than a simple homework. This packet will be the first homework
you complete as a member of the Sino-American Program and the first
of many accomplishments you will achieve during your time with us.

Be wholehearted, love the process, and most of all enjoy your

vacation.

Sincerely,
Your teacher

3
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Establishing background knowledge Establishing background knowledge

Time Period: 1890-1930 Answer the questions in complete sentences. Each answer must be four to six sentences.

Location: China Topic: Aristocracy

What are the specific details about the topic?

Topics to explore: Aristocracy
Marriage customs
Foot binding

Your task: Explore the above topics, all of which come about through the course of
the novel. Take note of both the location and time period in which you are
researching. What are the positive aspects or impacts of the topic?

Answer the following questions on the following pages for every topic in
four to six sentences per question:
o What are the specific details about the topic?
o What are the positive aspects or impacts of the topic?
o What are the negative aspects or impacts of the topic?
o How does this issue connect to present day?
What are the negative aspects or impacts of the topic?
Present all information in your own words.

You must give credit to all sources.

How does this issue connect to present day?

Sources:

4
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Establishing background knowledge Establishing background knowledge

Answer the questions in complete sentences. Each answer must be four to six sentences. Answer the questions in complete sentences. Each answer must be four to six sentences.

Topic: Marriage customs Topic: Foot binding

What are the specific details about the topic? What are the specific details about the topic?

What are the positive aspects or impacts of the topic? What are the positive aspects or impacts of the topic?

What are the negative aspects or impacts of the topic? What are the negative aspects or impacts of the topic?

How does this issue connect to present day? How does this issue connect to present day?

Sources: Sources:

5
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
About the author
Pearl S. Buck
To most of North America, Pearl S. Buck lived an exotic
and fascinating life. She was born Pearl Comfort
Sydenstricker on June 26, 1892 in Hillsboro, West
Virginia. Her parents were missionaries and so she lived
in China for most of her life until 1934. She moved to
Anhui Province, the setting for most of The Good Earth
with her first husband, John Lossing Buck.
In the early 1900s, life in China was largely a mystery to
much of the rest of the world. Pearl Buck wrote about
China in many of her novels, because it was what she
knew, but also because one of her life goals was to dispel
myths about Asia. She wanted to have the world see
them as humans sharing the same qualities, strengths
and weaknesses, even though their lifestyle and customs
were so very different.
She wrote many novels about China, and later other
Asian nations. The Good Earth is the first and most
popular of the trilogy based on the Wang family. The
Good Earth was written in 1931, followed by Sons in
1932, and finally A House Divided in 1935.
6
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Vocabulary list
CHAPTERS 1 TO 2
fruition perseveringly cease budding shiver crouch savor idleness exultation cultivate
CHAPTERS 3 TO 6
accustomed astonishing remnant agony chuckling courtesy malignant mortal abruptly
thrifty utensil paste render knead boisterous maliciously mole scoundrel moat undaunted
CHAPTERS 7 TO 9
snatch moral sullen pious crumple groan verge lust berate unctuous distraught
threshold reckless gnash shrivel
CHAPTERS 10 TO 14
coax famished multitude ‘hither and tither’ thrust ‘the notion of’ guffaw spectacle erect
reap perpetual harangue outskirts gourmand glutinous opulence regal restless staggering
dainty lingering projecting ammunition unrest inquisitive
CHAPTERS 15 TO 17
bicker quiescent bawl robust incense resolutely halt peevish virtuous quiver feeble
manure haughty immense inquire
CHAPTERS 18 TO 21
submerge poised fretful reproach compel recede ‘to and fro’ beckon ruddy intersperse
dismay impudent voluble retort nibble pry mar cunning petulant conceive
CHAPTERS 22 TO 24
sheer triumphant betroth begrudging fermentation hinge beseech marauded ill-humor
encompass bawl brutal plump placid cower
CHAPTERS 25 TO 27
purge extract submissive disintegrate remorse heed repulsion summon reluctant bustle
bewilder brimming appease engross lenient
CHAPTERS 28 TO 30
fetch ‘lounge about’ stoutly garment swarm finicky unduly tenant demur wither mason
lest sneer jabber enclosure
CHAPTERS 31 TO 34
horde pant hoarse appraise attentively distaste indulgent hideous mend commend
expenditure heritage awry lofty quaver dread loath snicker tremble soothe
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters One to Two Chapters One to Two

Choose the answer that is most correct.
Vocabulary
Find the sentences from the book and complete it with the exact words used. The sentences 1. Wang Lung looks forward to having a 2. What does Wang Lung’s father mean
are in the order as they appear in the book. woman in the house so he can… when he says, “So the harvest is in
A sleep in. sight?”
shiver budding idleness fruition exultation perseveringly cultivate cease crouch savor B talk with someone. A Crops are planted.
C move out. B Wheat is growing.
D have another field hand. C O-lan is pregnant.
A small soft wind blew gently from the east, a wind mild and murmurous and full of rain. It D The money is in bank.
was a good omen. The fields needed rain for ________________.
3. Wang Lung does not like O-lan’s…
The old man continued to cough ________________ and would not ________________ A feet.
until the water boiled.
B voice.
C body.
The farmer in Wang Lung was diverted for an instant and he stooped to examine the D modesty.
________________ heads.

They had slept ________________ and ________________ over their baskets, the baskets
now empty at their feet.
He would like to have slept, now that he could, but his foolish body, which he had made to
arise every morning so early for all these years, would not sleep although it could, and so he
lay there, tasting and ________________ in his mind and in his flesh his luxury of
________________.
In himself there was this new ________________ which he was ashamed to make articulate
even to his own heart, “This woman of mine like me well enough!”
One day when Wang Lung was hard pressed with the swelling wheat and was
________________ it with his hoe, day after day, until his back throbbed with weariness, her
shadow fell across the furrow over which he bent himself, and there she stood, with a hoe
across her shoulder.
Number the events from 1 to 10 in the order they occurred in these chapters.
_____ a) Wang Lung buys O-lan peaches.
_____ b) Wang Lung gets a shave on his head, but keeps his long braid.
_____ c) Wang Lung falls on his face and bows to the mistress of the House of Hwang.
_____ d) Wang Lung washes his whole body for the first time in a long time.
_____ e) Wang Lung buys 2 lbs. of pork, 6 oz. of beef, and some bean curd (tofu).
_____ f) Wang Lung lights 2 incense and prays to the village gods.
_____ g) Wang Lung bribes the gateman to take him into the House of Hwang.
_____ h) Wang Lung meets his fiancé for the first time.
_____ i) Wang Lung has a ‘wedding feast’ with his father, uncle, cousin and neighbor.
_____ j) Wang Lung walks to the village at sunrise in a clean feast day robe.

7
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters One to Two
Answer each question with complete sentences.
1. Is Wang Lung pleased with his wife? Support your answer with at least 3 quotes and/or facts
cited from the chapters.
1) ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2) ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3) ___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
8
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Three to Six
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. Why do you think it is important for O-lan to the House of Hwang with her child well-dressed,
carrying special moon cakes? Why do you think it is important to Wang Lung?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. In the novel, there is a great deal of talk about good fortune, good omens, and making good
things happen. Wang Lung is often afraid of too much good fortune. Discuss your thoughts on
‘good fortune’. Where do you think ‘good fortune’ comes from? Can you create good luck or
prevent bad luck?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Three to Six

Vocabulary

accustomed astonishing remnant agony chuckling courtesy malignant mortal abruptly

thrifty utensil paste render knead boisterous maliciously mole scoundrel moat undaunted

ACROSS
3. humans subject to death
5. sticking something
6. suddenly and unexpectedly
9. polite attitude
12. a dishonest person; a rogue
13. using money carefully and not wastefully
15. with intent to do harm
18. extreme physical or mental suffering
19. cancerous
20. laugh quietly

DOWN
1. a small blemish on the skin that are dark
2. tools for household use
4. a deep, wide ditch filled with water surrounding a fort
7. not intimidated
8. cause to become
10. customary; usual
11. extremely surprising
14. noisy, energetic and cheerful
16. a small remaining quantity of something
17. work moistened flour into dough

9
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Seven to Nine

Vocabulary
Find the word that is NOT related to the word given.

1. Snatch 11. Distraught

a) seize in a rude b) a pickpocket takes c) sniff for smell of d) take hold of a) how parents will look like when the child is b) how parents will look like when they lose
way away a lady’s purse food something getting good grades at school the child at a department store
quickly and suddenly
c) look like he is out of his mind d) worked up

2. Moral 12. Threshold

a) human being with b) right and wrong c) principles of good d) rules of conduct a) entrance or exit b) type of molding on c) doorstep d) strip of wood or
death and bad the ceiling metal on the bottom
of the floor
3. Sullen 13. Reckless
a) moody b) rainy day c) want to be alone d) energetic a) don’t care about b) making a wise c) driving with d) how a fool would
the consequences decision excessive speeding act

4. Pious 14. Gnash

a) worldly b) devout c) holy d) saintly a) picking nose b) grinding c) silent anger d) teeth

5. Crumple 15. Shrivel

a) wrinkles b) crease c) crooked d) ironed a) flower dying b) lack of water c) wrinkly d) plump

6. Groan
a) clear and b) miserable tone c) sound caused by d) complain out of
articulate argument pain despair

7. Verge
a) at the edge b) right in the middle c) bordering d) at the limit

8. Lust
a) sacred b) worldly desire c) passionate for d) greedy
money and power
9. Berate
a) scold b) slap someone c) angry d) talk highly of
with words someone
10. Unctuous
a) very smooth with b) a person flattering c) sincere and d) too much praise
words the superior genuine

10
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Seven to Nine Chapters Seven to Nine

1. Choose answer that is most correct. Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. Wang Lung felt it was a bad omen when his wife gave birth to a girl, yet he forms a special
a) Wang Lung was determined to buy more of the land from the House of Hwang, but after attachment to his little girl. Why?
the first harvest he could not. Why? _____________________________________________________________________________
A There was drought and he didn’t make enough money.
_____________________________________________________________________________
B He loaned money to his Uncle.
C The villagers broke into his house and stole his silver. _____________________________________________________________________________
D The noble family would not sell to him.
2. Predict what may happen with the House of Hwang during The Famine, based upon
b) During the Famine in Chapter 8 and 9, which of the following was not eaten by Wang Lung? foreshadowing that appears in the text. Use evidence from the chapters.
A corn cobs _____________________________________________________________________________
B the ox
_____________________________________________________________________________
C dirt
D locust _____________________________________________________________________________
c) As the drought started, Wang Lung secretly bought another field. At the end of Chapter 8, 3. In the turn of the century China, elder males were given great responsibilities as well as respect.
why is Wang Lung happy that he had bought the land? Wang Lung must not be rude to his uncle and must share his money with him. Wang Lung also
A It can’t be stolen. makes sure that his father has food, even if he himself, nor his children and wife have any. Who
B It can be sold. seems to be the priority in the society today? Who makes the sacrifices? Is this good or bad?
C It seems like he is getting richer. _____________________________________________________________________________
D He can farm it for food.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. Circle T if the statement is TRUE or F if it is FALSE.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T F a) Wang Lung’s cousin gets married because Wang Lung gives his uncle the money _____________________________________________________________________________
for a dowry.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T F b) Wang Lung’s uncle has an ‘evil destiny’ to blame for his bad luck.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T F c) Wang Lung’s daughter can’t walk because they are binding her feet.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T F d) Wang Lung sells his land to get money for food.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T F e) The villagers attack Wang Lung’s house looking for food and money.
T F f) Wang Lung is furious with his uncle because he convinced the villagers to steal _____________________________________________________________________________
from him. _____________________________________________________________________________
T F g) The villagers felt justified in taking anything they found because Wang Lung had _____________________________________________________________________________
been greedy.
_____________________________________________________________________________
T F h) O-lan sells the last of their belongings for 2 pieces of silver.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

11
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Ten to Fourteen Chapters Ten to Fourteen

Vocabulary Research The Famine that occurred in turn of the century China as well as The Potato Famine that
What can you use the vocabulary words with? (The list can be found in page 6.) Write the struck Ireland in the mid-19th century. How are the two similar? How are they different?
words along with the examples in the corresponding boxes. Words can be repeated in
different boxes. A sample is shown below.

The Great Famine

audience grew restless

Person

Place

Thing

restless night

Time/Event

The Potato Famine

Idea

12
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Ten to Fourteen
For each of the similes or metaphors below, identify what is being described from the chapters.
a) “…come thundering out of the darkness a noise like a dragon’s voice and two great eyes puffing
fire out…” (Chapter 10)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
b) “…like fleas on a dog’s back…” (Chapter 11)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
c) “…as an ox yoked for the first time to the plow…” (Chapter 11)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
d) “…as alien as a rat in a rich man’s house, that is fed on scraps thrown away, and hides here and
there and is never a part of the real life of the house…” (Chapter 12)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
e) “…great nose projecting beyond his cheeks like a prow beyond the sides of a ship…” (Chapter 14)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
13
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Ten to Fourteen
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. Since the drought started, we find out more about O-lan’s past experience living through a
famine. Describe how O-lan has gained skills and strengths from her past that she uses to help
the family survive in the city.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What does O-lan say, that dissuades Wang Lung from selling his daughter?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Why does Wang Lung stop pulling a rickshaw?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. What is meant by: “The old men and the old women accepted the life they had. But there came
a time when the male children grew to a certain age, before they were old and then they ceased
to be children, and then they were filled with discontent?”
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Fifteen to Seventeen Chapters Fifteen to Seventeen

1. Number the events from 1 to 6 in the order they occurred in these chapters.
Vocabulary
Connect each word on the left with its meaning on the right.
_____ a) Wang Lung buys an ox.

_____ b) Wang Lung buys land from the House of Hwang.

bicker • • inactive state
_____ c) Wang Lung sends his two oldest sons to school.
quiescent • • strong, sturdy
_____ d) Wang Lung lets O-lan keep two pearls from the jewels stolen from the wealthy
bawl • • in a determined manner
family.
robust • • stop
_____ e) Ching moves in and becomes Wang Lung’s overseer on the farm.
incense • • weak in physical strength
_____ f) The family moves back to the farm
resolutely • • easily irritated by unimportant things
halt • • argue about small things
2. Symbolism. For each of the sentences below, choose the symbol from the list that is being
peevish • • crying loudly; shouting unrestrainedly
described.
virtuous • • snobby
quiver • • ask pearls • one long braid • beans • land • ox • the House of Hwang
feeble • • long stick that can be burned for sweet smell
a) The symbol of the noble life of ancient China is __________________________.
manure • • tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion
b) Wang Lung has __________________________ which symbolizes the loyalty to the old
haughty • • extremely large ways, a farmer, tied to his land.
immense • • having high moral standards
c) The __________________________ form a bond of forgiveness and support between
inquire • • animal dung for fertilizing land Ching and Wang Lung.

d) The __________________________ symbolizes beauty for O-lan, who has always been
called ugly.

e) The __________________________ is life.

f) The __________________________ is a symbol of productivity.

14
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Fifteen to Seventeen Chapters Eighteen to Twenty-one

Answer the questions in complete sentences.

Vocabulary
1. How do you think Wang Lung’s time spent in the city will influence him, once he is back on his
Unscramble the words using hints to the right. Uncover the hidden phrase!
farm?
_____________________________________________________________________________
FFUTELR 3 16
the child was tired and ___
_____________________________________________________________________________
REETSIRNESP 8
flowers ___ among the field
_____________________________________________________________________________
ENCOCEIV 9
___ with a child
_____________________________________________________________________________
ANODROFT 15
children running ___
_____________________________________________________________________________
RTTROE make a sarcastic ___
_____________________________________________________________________________
UEGMRESB 14
___ under water
2. Identify the type of irony (verbal, dramatic or situational) used in the section in Chapter 17 that
describes the school for Wang Lung’s boys, and how he selected this school. Use evidence from NLETPTAU 10
___ as a spoiled child
the novel. PAROECHR 18 2 ___ for carelessness
_____________________________________________________________________________
BOULEVL 11
___ discussion
_____________________________________________________________________________
BLIENB 19
___ on cookies
_____________________________________________________________________________
DEIPSO 20 appear perfectly ___
_____________________________________________________________________________
YRP 13
___ into personal life
_____________________________________________________________________________
NOBECK 6
___ to come over
_____________________________________________________________________________
ERDECE 4
waters ___
_____________________________________________________________________________
CPOLEM ___ to do something
_____________________________________________________________________________
NNUICNG 5
___ scheme
_____________________________________________________________________________
UENIPTDM 1
___ reply
_____________________________________________________________________________
ISADYM 7
greatly ___ by the change
_____________________________________________________________________________
ARM 12
___one’s reputation
_____________________________________________________________________________
DRDUY 17
___ complexion
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________ “
1 2 3 4 5 6 2 7 8 9
_____________________________________________________________________________
W “
_____________________________________________________________________________
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Eighteen to Twenty-one
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. There were proverbs popular at the time when Pearl S. Buck wrote the book. Give an example
of how these three proverbs manifest themselves in the story so far.
Money is the root of all evil: ______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Pride goes before a fall: __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Idle hands are the devil’s workshop: ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. In the novel there are certain symbols for wealth: bound feet for example. If a family was wealthy
enough, they could afford to bind the feet of their girls, as a sign that they didn’t need them as
workers. Jewels and jewelry have always been symbols of wealth. What are some other symbols
in this day and age, used to show wealth and power? Why do you think humans show off their
wealth?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
16
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Eighteen to Twenty-one
3. Long Answer. Why do people change? Have you ever known someone well, and then noticed
that they were acting differently, or they started to value someone or something that they never
would have before? What causes people to change their beliefs, values, or behaviors? Or do they
really change? Were they really always like that, and now they have an opportunity to act?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Twenty-two to Twenty-four Chapters Twenty-two to Twenty-four

1. Fill in each blank with the correct word from the chapters.
Vocabulary a) “So these two women took their places in his house: Lotus for his ________________ and his
Write down the word to use instead of the bolded and underlined description. The list of ________________ and to satisfy his delight in beauty and in smallness and in the joy of her
words for the corresponding chapters can be found on page 6.
pure sex, and O-lan for his woman of ________________ and the mother who had
________________ his sons and kept his house and ________________ him and his father
1. Wang Lung’s first son crouched down in fear to the ground as his father and his children.
acted upon his fury.
b) During the New Year’s festival, men from town said “Well, and there is no fortune we can
2. As a poor farmer, Wang Lung could only be married to a servant from wish you greater than you have, ________________ in your house and women and son was
Hwang’s family.
moody, and started to skip school. He disappeared for many nights and went with his
3. It was a pure joy for Wang Lung to work on his land rain or shine. ________________ to visit a prostitute. Wang Lung continues to have problems with his
4. Wang Lung begged the woman urgently to tell him what happened to Uncle and his family. Then, Wang Lung’s crops are threated by ________________.
his son last night. c) In fighting for his land, Wang Lung releases his worries and says: “Well, and every man has his
5. The extremely harsh famine drove all of Wang Lung’s family to the ________________ and I must make shift to live with mine as I can, and my uncle is older
south. than I and he will die.”
6. When Wang Lung came back from the south, he went to Hwang’s family d) Wang Lung’s oldest son wants to go to ________________ in the south to experience life. O-
victoriously to buy their land. lan comes in to tell him that he is visiting the inner court. At first, Wang Lung says he can’t go,
until he finds his son in with ________________. He ________________ both his son and
7. Wang Lung’s first son felt sick after drinking chemically broken down
drinks. Lotus with a slim piece of ________________, and is happy afterwards when she is more
obedient and submissive.
8. The first son yelled at his younger siblings because of nothing else but
his own bad mood. 2. Choose the answer that is most correct.
a) Wang Lung must endure his Uncle and his family because…
9. With many delicacies Cuckoo brought to her, Lotus looked more like a A he is family, and Wang Lung is bound by family honor.
round and chubby little cat. B his uncle has threatened to start a riot against Wang Lung.
C his uncle would be beaten by the villagers if he kicked him out.
10. Wang Lung’s uncle envied (the possession) and resented Wang Lung’s D his uncle is connected to the bandits.
affluence. b) Which of the following has not happened to Wang Lung’s farm?
A drought
11. Wang Lung yelled loudly at his first son to get his life back on track. B flood
12. The double door at Hwang’s house has thick iron joints that connects C locust
D fire
the door to the wall.
c) Which word best describes Cuckoo’s character?
13. The city where Wang Lung was living was surrounded by soldiers. A opportunistic
B loyal
14. O-lan remained calm and even-tempered, except when Wang Lung C boisterous
took her pearls away. D scrupulous

15. Bands of robbers raided in search of things to steal the town where 17
Wang Lung is living.
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Twenty-two to Twenty-four Chapters Twenty-five to Twenty-seven

Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. In Chapter 22, the author writes that the earth healed Wang Lung of his sickness. What sickness? Vocabulary
How does the earth heal him? Fill in the blank to complete the sentences. Some words may be repeated. The list of
_____________________________________________________________________________ vocabulary words can be found in page 6.

_____________________________________________________________________________ 1. They were filled with ________________ and shame when they were finally caught for
_____________________________________________________________________________ their wrong doings.
2. Take ________________ of the doctor’s advice and start eating healthy and begin
2. How does the Uncle’s gossiping about Wang Lung in Chapter 22 contrast with how he talked
about Wang Lung in Chapter 8 during the Famine? exercising.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 3. My mother always ________________ about in the kitchen to prepare the best home-
cooked meal when I came back home from school.
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. While most students are excited about going to college, he was ________________ to
_____________________________________________________________________________ leave his home.
3. In Chapter 22, what three areas of Wang Lung’s life give him great pride? 5. Max is always ________________ by his sister’s sudden changes of mood.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 6. The court announced its decision to ________________ them as witnesses.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 7. My parents are more ________________ towards my brother who is ten years younger
than me.
_____________________________________________________________________________
8. The president seized an opportunity to ________________ the party of unsatisfactory
4. Find a quote in Chapter 23 that explains why Wang Lung is so upset with his son visiting the members.
“whore who lives in the court that once belonged to the great house.” How does this quote 9. Mary was far from being a timidly ________________ woman.
reinforce the proverb, “Pride goes before a fall?” 10. The ideas did not come from a singular research but were ________________ from a
_____________________________________________________________________________
variety of theories.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 11. Some plastics are composed of strong materials that it takes over 400 years to
_____________________________________________________________________________ ________________.
12. He always seems to be ________________ with ideas to create new projects for the
_____________________________________________________________________________
company.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 13. The president ________________ the Pope to Vatican city.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 14. A new policy was released to ________________ the hardened minds of people with
_____________________________________________________________________________ small businesses and reduce their financial burden.
15. Wang Lung felt an instinctive ________________ as he held O-lan’s stiff dying hand.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 16. Bob had helped ________________ Martha of the terrible guilt that had haunted her.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 17. His lecture ________________ all my attention from beginning to end.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 18. If he heard but still did not follow, the he paid no ________________.
19. The national economy ________________ during the 2008 financial crisis.
_____________________________________________________________________________
20. What her friend was excited to discuss, she was ________________ to share.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 21. My eyes ________________ over with tears as I was reading the letter my dad wrote me.
22. I get energy from the hustle and ________________ of a big city.
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Twenty-five to Twenty-seven
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. Why do you think Wang Lung’s second son would make a good merchant? Base your opinion on
facts from the novel.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. O-lan tells her daughter that she must have her feet bound or else her husband will not love her,
just as Wang Lung does not love O-lan. Is this true? Does she need to have her feet bound to be
loved? Does Wang Lung not love O-lan because of her feet?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Was O-lan’s life terrible? Explain using evidence from the novel.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
19
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Twenty-five to Twenty-seven
4. Long Answer. Wang Lung states that he didn’t love O-lan and never really had, but he claims to
love Lotus. Do you agree? Reflect upon all the things Wang Lung valued about O-lan before he
became rich, and all ways he cared for her even as she died. Did he love her? Are there different
kinds of love? Does he really love Lotus?
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Twenty-eight to Thirty Chapters Twenty-eight to Thirty

1. Tragic Flaws: In literature, there is usually a character flaw that either causes the struggle or
Vocabulary the downfall of the characters. For each character listed below, write one word from the list
Fill in the blank to complete the idea or description. The list of vocabulary words can be to identify what you believe is his or her greatest weakness or flaw. Some words may be
found in page 6. repeated, and not all terms need be used.

• when something is unnecessarily and excessively harsh, you can say it is

pride greed laziness malicious low self-esteem ruthlessness stingy angry
________________ harsh
• when you smile but not really – only mockingly, you are ________________ at someone a) Wang Lung ________________________________________________________________

• when your dog brings back the ball you threw, your dog ________________ the ball b) Wang Lung’s second son _____________________________________________________
c) Wan Lung’s uncle ___________________________________________________________
• when you are doing one thing just in case it causes something bad, you say “I dried the
d) O-lan ____________________________________________________________________
water on the floor ________________ someone slip.”
e) Wang Lung’s first son _______________________________________________________
• when you are in a particular area that is sealed off, you are within the ________________
f) Wang Lung’s cousin _________________________________________________________
of a certain thing
• when you maintain your position with determination, you defend your opinion
________________ 2. Choose the answer that is most correct.
• when you don’t agree and show your objections, you ________________
a) What does Wang Lung’s second son want in a bride?
• when you are talking very fast endlessly, you ________________ nonstop A A hard-working peasant girl.
B An educated merchant’s daughter.
• when you are lying or sitting in a relaxed manner, you ________________ C A beautiful wealthy girl.
• when you are overly particular about something, you are being ________________ D Ching’s daughter.

• when you want to build a sculpture out of a stone, you look for a ________________ b) Wang Lung is astonished by his second son’s bride request because…
• you can call pieces of clothing ________________ A he didn’t want an expensive wedding.
B he realizes that he didn’t really know his second son.
• when you rent a place to live, you become a ________________ C it will not cost much.
• when there are a very large amount of insect, you say there are a ________________ of D the second son had it all planned out.

insects
• when a plant dries up and dies, you say the plant has ________________

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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Twenty-eight to Thirty
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. Give three reasons why Wang Lung is reluctant to move to the great house?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What would you write for an epitaph for Ching, that would describe his true character and the
role he played in Wang Lung’s life?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Why does Wang Lung get so upset by Ching’s death, and want to bury him in the family burial
plot?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. How does renting the land to the local farmers contribute to Wang Lung’s separation from the
land?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Thirty-one to Thirty-four
Answer the questions in complete sentences.
1. What is ironic about Lotus when it says, “And she was jealous of the maid and she sent her from
the room when Wang Lung came in and she accused Wang Lung that he looked at the girl.” What
type of irony is this?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. Wang Lung’s first son and his wife have always been concerned with what people thought of
them, and of appearing to be noble or of high moral standard. What is the irony of the first son’s
reaction to Wang Lung taking Pear Blossom as his concubine? Use evidence from the novel.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you predict will happen after Wang Lung dies? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
4. Wang Lung’s cousin leaves and the slave he was given gives birth to a girl child. Why does Wang
Lung give the slave to a tenant farmer on his land?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Thirty-one to Thirty-four
Long Answer. Some people say that Wang Lung’s actions were ruled by guilt; other say
compassion. What do you think and why?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Chapters Thirty-one to Thirty-four
Long Answer. We could talk about “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree” when we look
at Wang Lung’s sons. One son – his oldest – is very much like Wang Lung, the noble man. The
second son is more like his grandfather, and the youngest is perhaps like their mother. Do you
agree or disagree with this statement? Can you see family traits or personality traits that run
through people in your family? Do you take after someone in your family? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

Chapters Thirty-one to Thirty-four

Vocabulary
1) Complete the crossword puzzle with synonyms below as hints. 2) On the line provided,
write down any word or draw something simple related to the vocabulary words. It could be
in the form of synonym, antonym, or a related object.

ACROSS
2. reluctant, unwilling, against, __________________
4. repair, fix, restore, __________________
5. ugly, repulsive, repellent, __________________
7. feared, anxious, apprehensive, __________________
9. alert, engrossed, focused, __________________
11. husky, rough, harsh, __________________
12. assess, evaluate, estimate, __________________
14. calm, pacify, ease, __________________
15. lenient, easygoing, tolerant, __________________
17. tremble, shake, flutter, __________________
20. laugh, snigger, sneer, __________________

DOWN
1. praise, compliment, applaud, __________________
3. tradition, history, background, __________________
6. tall, noble, proud, __________________
8. dislike, disgust, aversion, __________________
10. spending, outgoings, expenses, __________________
13. crowd, mass, pack, __________________
16. shake, quiver, afraid, __________________
18. amiss, wrong, askew, __________________
19. breathe heavily, hard, quickly, __________________

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 Congratulations on completing this assignment. What a long but eventful
journey it was! Please bring this packet along with your improved reading,
writing, and thinking skills back to school!

*Keep in mind that any or all the content in this packet will be included in your English level
test in your first week of school.

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