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WorksheetsShard Skills Quiz
Total questions: 41
Worksheet time: 1hrs 17mins
What is the main setting of "A Single Shard" and how does it influence Tree-ear's character development?
A modern city where Tree-ear learns about technology.
A small village in Korea, where traditional pottery is a key element of the culture.
A bustling medieval market town in Europe, focusing on trade.
An isolated island where Tree-ear learns survival skills.
Why does Tree-ear decide to go on a journey to Songdo in "A Single Shard"?
To find a lost relative.
To meet the emissary.
To deliver a piece of pottery to the royal court.
To learn a new language.
In "A Single Shard," what theme is best reflected through Tree-ear's commitment to his journey even though there were challenges?
The importance of wealth.
The unpredictability of nature.
Perseverance and determination.
The benefits of modern technology.
What is a significant turning point in the plot of "A Single Shard"?
Tree-ear decides to become a painter.
Tree-ear gets robbed and the pottery he is supposed to deliver is broken.
Tree-ear starts calling Min's wife, Ajima.
Crane-man tells Tree-ear the story of the Rock of Falling Flowers.
How does the relationship between Tree-ear and Min change throughout "A Single Shard"?
They become competitors in business.
They remain distant and mistrustful.
They grow from mistrust to mutual respect and mentorship.
They are best friends from the beginning.
What is the relationship between Crane-man and Tree-ear?
Antagonist who challenges Tree-ear.
A distant relative who occasionally helps.
A wise mentor and loyal friend.
A wealthy benefactor.
How does the author build suspense around Tree-ear's journey to Songdo?
By introducing mythical creatures along the path.
By detailing the potential rewards at the end of the journey.
By describing the dangers and challenges he faces along the way.
By using flashbacks to earlier peaceful times.
How did Tree-ear get his name?
He was found under a large tree.
His ears fanned out like a tree branch
He is named after the mushroom that grows on the tree
He loved to climb trees so he could listen in on the master potters.
Tree-ear injured ______________ while hauling wood for the community kiln.
his ankle
his head
his leg
his hand
Where did Tree-ear and Crane-man live?
Behind a master potter's shed
Under a bridge
In a shack by the clay pits
By the river in a hut
When Min realized Tree-ear had broken his clay box, what did they agree upon for repayment?
To beat Tree-ear 10 lashes with a stick
Tree-ear would work without pay for nine days to repay his debt.
Tree-ear would pay him nine coins for the lost comission
Tree-ear would be taken to the orphanage.
What time period does "A Single Shard" take place?
(a)
What type of pottery was famous in Ancient Korea during this time period?
celadon glaze
stripes
porcelain pottery
terracotta glaze
What social class does Tree-ear belong to?
Aristocracy
Lowest Rank
Middle Class
Rich People
Read this scene from the book: "He held the bag high. Tree-ear was delighted when Crane-man's eyes widened in surprise. He knew that Crane-man would guess at once—only one thing could give a bag that kind of smooth fullness. Not carrot-tops or chicken bones, which protruded in odd lumps. No, the bag was filled with rice. Crane-man raised his walking crutch in a salute. "Come, my young friend! Tell me how you came by such a fortune—a tale worth hearing, no doubt!""
Did Tree-ear steal rice from the man on the road?
Yes
No
What does the setting of a story refer to?
The time and place in which the story takes place
The main conflict of the story
The climax of the story
The resolution of the story
Why does Tree-ear continue to work so hard even though working for Min is not what he expected?
Tree-ear is motivated because he wants to become an expert potter
Tree-ear is trying to take over Min's business
Tree-ear wants to become as rich as a king
Who said, "You are not my son"?
Crane-man
Tree-ear
Min
Ajima
What is the name of the location that Tree-ear got robbed?
Min's House
The Kiln
The Fall of Flowers Rocking
The Rock of Falling Flowers
Who said this? - “You must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk.”
Crane-man
Tree-ear
Ajima
Kang
When does Tree-ear use this advice?
“You must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk.”
When Min told him to build a house
On his long journey to Songdo
When he was hungry working with Ajima
When doing his homework
What does Min's wife tell Tree-ear to call her?
Ajima
Mom
Janet
Ashley
What is this literary device:
To give an advance hint of
what is to come later in the
story
What is this literary device:
Literary device what
compares two things using
the word “like” or “as”
What point of view is A Single Shard told from?
What type of pottery was famous in Ancient Korea during this time period?
What social class does Tree-ear belong to?
Aristocracy
Commoners (Sangmin)
Base people (Ch’ommin)
Lowest rank
What word BEST describes Crane Man?
Wise
Old
Silly
Clumsy
Which quote shows you that Crane Man is wise?
"Work gives a man dignity, stealing takes it away," he often said.”
“Crane-man had explained. "They keep a man's mind sharp—and his thoughts off his empty stomach.”
“said Crane-man, kindly but firmly. "It must be removed so we can clean the wound. The demons of sickness are no doubt already scheming to enter your body through such a door."
"I do not remember how long I have been here," he said, "but I know how long you have."
What's happening in this scene?
He held the bag high. Tree-ear was delighted when Crane-man's eyes widened in surprise. He knew that Crane-man would guess at once—only one thing could give a bag that kind of smooth fullness. Not carrot-tops or chicken bones, which protruded in odd lumps. No, the bag was filled with rice. Crane-man raised his walking crutch in a salute. "Come, my young friend! Tell me how you came by such a fortune—a tale worth hearing, no doubt!"
Tree-ear is telling Crane-man how he stole rice from the man walking in front of him on the trail.
Tree-ear is telling Crane-man how he stole rice from the man walking in front of him on the trail.
Tree-ear is telling Crane-man how he gleaned the rice from the man on the trail. The man rewarded him with rice to take home for his honesty.
Tree-ear is telling Crane-man how he gleaned the rice from a rubbish heap.
What is significant about this scene?
He held the bag high. Tree-ear was delighted when Crane-man's eyes widened in surprise. He knew that Crane-man would guess at once—only one thing could give a bag that kind of smooth fullness. Not carrot-tops or chicken bones, which protruded in odd lumps. No, the bag was filled with rice. Crane-man raised his walking crutch in a salute. "Come, my young friend! Tell me how you came by such a fortune—a tale worth hearing, no doubt!"
This is significant because Tree-ear gleaned the rice in a dishonest way.
This is significant because Tree-ear and Crane-man often do not have food to eat, so it is a big deal that Tree-ear was able to bring so much food home.
This is significant because Crane-man is excited he was honest and brought food home, which is rare.
This is significant because Crane-man and Tree-ear often do not have food to eat, so it is exciting he brought so much home.
What is happening in this scene and why is it significant?
The temptation was too great. Tree-ear stole silently over the frozen ground, edged along the wall of the shed, and after a quick glance around, hunched over to put his eye to a shoulder-level knothole. With the two bowls of red and white slip before him and an oil lamp just beyond, Kang sat in profile to Tree-ear’s view, using his wheel as a worktable.
Tree-ear was hiding because he got caught spying on Kang. This is significant because didn’t want to get in trouble with Min.
Tree-ear was spying on Kang. This is significant because he thought he was keeping a secret and wanted to know what he was up to.
Tree-ear was spying on Kang while he was working in his workshop. This is significant because he should not have been spying on him.
Tree-ear was spying on Min while he was working in his workshop. This is significant because he should not have been spying on him.
When in the novel does this scene occur?
“I cannot pay you.” Min’s interruption could hardly have been more abrupt, but the curt words swept over Tree-ear like cool rain over a parched field. I cannot pay you was the same as “Yes.” A surge of joy lifted Tree-ear’s heart into his throat, so that he had to cough politely before speaking again.” (p. 30)
This happens after Tree-ear has finished his nine days of working to repay his debt to Min for breaking the vase.
This happens when Tree-ear breaks Min’s vase. Min wants him to pay for the pottery he broke but since he is an orphan he cannot pay him and must work for him for nine days instead.
This happens after Tree-ear makes a beautiful vase for Min, but Min is not able to pay him for it.
This happens after Tree-ear is done working for Min for the day.
Why does the author not give Min's wife a name?
Min’s wife does not have a name, so that is why the author calls her Min’s Wife.
The author does not give Min’s Wife a name because in Korean society women do not have prominent roles. Being a wife and mother is their main identity.
Min does not like his wife, so he told her she can only be referred to as “Min’s Wife” and not by her name.
The author does not give Min’s Wife a name because in Korean society women are forced to work and do not get names.
Who said this? Is this like them or unlike them?
“Well? Are you coming, beggar-boy, or are you a statue with your feet frozen to the ground?” (pg. 26)
The speaker is Crane-man. It is atypical because normally Crane-man is nice and kind to everyone.
The speaker is Min. This is typical because he is often harsh to Tree-ear when he first starts working for him.
The speaker is Crane-man. It is typical of him because he is normally terse and frustrated with Tree-ear.
The speaker is Min. It is atypical of him because he is normally very friendly and loving towards Tree-ear.
What causes Tree-Ear to say this?
On p. 34, Tree ear thinks, “Of one thing he was certain. The feast-day banquets in the palace of the King could never better the modest meal before him, for he had earned it.”
Tree-ear was satisfied after a long day of poking around in the rubbish heaps that he had enough food for a meal to suit a king.
Tree-ear stole a meal from Min’s house that was fit for a king to eat.
Tree-ear was proud of his hard work that earned him a meal. Since he worked hard, this meal made him feel like he was feasting like a king would.
Min was proud of Tree-ear’s hard work, so he took him to the palace and let him feast with the king to reward him for his work.
What does Crane Man mean in this quote?
“Tree-ear! Eh, again you see the aptness of your name. You are like the ears of a scrawny little tree, noticed by none but hearing all.”
Crane-man says this because Tree-ear means a mushroom that looks like an ear. Tree-ear is using his ears to get information in the village and no one pays attention to him because of his orphan status, so they openly talk in front of him.
Crane-man means that Tree-ear is acting like a mushroom by letting Min walk all over him.
Crane-man means that Tree-ear was named after a mushroom that grew in wrinkled half-circles on dead or fallen tree trunks.
Crane-man means that Tree-ear is being dishonest and should not work for Min anymore because he does not use his ears to listen to him.
How is Tree-ear’s skill useful in his new life as Min’s assistant?
Tree-ear does not have any useful skills, which is why he is working as an apprentice for Min.
Tree-ear is like a mushroom that lives on tree trunks. This helps him when he goes to chop wood for Min.
Tree-ear is able to get insight into the secret projects that other potters are working on and share it with Min.
Tree-ear is becoming a very advanced potter and is helping Min earn more commissions than the other potters in the village are earning.
Did Min communicate clearly with Tree Ear?
Yes
No
Which quote shows that Min did not communicate clearly with Tree Ear?
“Min would squeeze handfuls of the purified clay, or rub it between his fingers.”
“He did not know why Min did not explain things more fully; Tree-ear’s mistakes often cost valuable time or wasted valuable clay.”
“But since that first day when Tree-ear had damaged the box, Min had never raised a hand against him. Throughout the first few scoldings, Tree-ear had braced himself, ready for the pummeling that would surely follow, like those he had endured when caught raiding a rubbish heap.”
“ They had not come, then or ever, even at the height of Min’s scorn and rage.”
What motivates Tree-ear to persist in the face of such difficult working conditions?
Tree-ear is motivated to keep working even though the conditions are difficult because he is an orphan. Normally, orphans would not have access to an opportunity like this and he wants to become an expert potter.
Tree-ear is motivated to keep working even though the conditions are difficult because he wants to be as wealthy as a king one day.
Tree-ear is not motivated to keep working. He is feeling defeated and does not know if he can continue to be Min’s apprentice.
Tree-ear is motivated to keep working even though conditions are difficult because he wants to make his parents proud of him.
