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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 Dirk surprised to see at the factory during the storm?

2. Who does Dirk challenge to a duel?

3. What is in the sack that Dirk finds in Aberdeen?

4. What does Brock apologize to Dirk for when they are at the knoll together?

5. Where do Culum and Tess stay in Macao after their wedding?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Dirk and Brock meet to fight at the knoll, why do they begin to talk about the weather?

2. After May-may begins to recover from malaria, what does she tell Dirk she will do if he goes back to Hong Kong without her?

3. What causes the wages and costs in Hong Kong to rise above Dirk's expectations?

4. Why does Dirk think Culum should spend more time with Jeff Cooper.

5. Why does Dirk think the bishop might have cinchona bark?

6. How is the White Witch damaged in Chapter 45?

7. Why does Wu Kwok have Scragger killed?

8. May-may presents Yin-hsi to Dirk as a birthday gift. What is the real reason she gives the girl to Dirk?

9. Why does Gorth go to the English club looking for Dirk?

10. What does May-may say will happen to Yin-hsi if Dirk sends her away?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are several instances of symbolism in Tai-Pan, such as the half coins and the relationship between Dirk and May-may. Discuss the presence of symbolism in the novel, including what the symbols are and what they stand for.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the culture clash between the English and the Chinese people in this novel. Where do we see the clash? How does the clash affect the events of the story?

Essay Topic 3

What role do the church and religion play in Tai-Pan? How does Dirk feel about religion and the church? How does May-may feel about religion? Why does she consider converting to Christianity and why does she decide against conversion?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 564 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample