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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. In chapter one Christopher remembers coming from Cambridge to London in the summer of which year?

2. What is Uncle Philip's relationship to the Banks?

3. What is the name of the road whose side streets are so heavily trafficked?

4. How does Mrs. Banks respond to the health inspector's suggestion?

5. What musical instrument does Uncle Philip encourage Christopher to go with him to see?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Akira believe about Ling Tien?

2. How does Christopher tend to remember his boyhood companion Akira?

3. How does Miss Hemmings gain admittance to the Meredith Foundation dinner?

4. Describe two examples of what Christopher refers to as "someone disapproving him and only just managing to conceal it."

5. Describe the visit of the health inspector to Christopher's home in Shanghai.

6. When Christopher finally sees Akira after Mr. Banks disappearance, how does Akira behave?

7. How does Uncle Philip set the stage for Christopher's mother's abduction?

8. What is significant about the disappearance of Jennifer's trunk?

9. Where is Charles Emery's body found?

10. What happens after Uncle Philip leaves Christopher?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What role does Christopher's relationship with Akira play in the story? How does it evolve? How does it shape the man Christopher becomes?

Essay Topic 2

In chapter sixteen, Sarah urges Christopher to run away with her to Macao. What does Macao represent? Why is Macao particularly enticing to Christopher when Sarah asks him? On an emotional level, what prevents Christopher from making it there?

Essay Topic 3

The motif of the outsider is featured in WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS. Choose three scenes from the novel where Ishiguro uses this motif to advance the plot and develop characters. How is this done?

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