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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. Why is their election unusual?

2. Who does Adeline talk with after seeing Cook?

3. How many people attend Big Sister's wedding?

4. Who sleeps in the bed next to Adeline at her new location?

5. What do the siblings nickname the room where Little Sister and Fourth Brother live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the room where Adeline is left when she arrives at St. Joseph's.

2. What does Adeline attribute her victory to?

3. What does Adeline fantasize about at night?

4. Describe the political situation when Adeline boards the plane for Tianjin.

5. Describe what happens with the wedding gifts that arrive at the house.

6. How does Adeline finally leave St. Joseph's?

7. Describe the scene as all of the boarders leave for the holidays.

8. Describe how Adeline realizes Niang has learned about the secret gift from Grand Aunt.

9. How does Adeline discover Big Sister's impending nuptials?

10. How is it decided who will sleep on the cots on the China Star?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of abandonment is profound in this novel. Name three times where Adeline feels abandoned by her family and how she handles the situation.

Essay Topic 2

Niang treats her own children vastly different from Adeline and her siblings. Choose two siblings in addition to Adeline and describe how Niang treats them in specific situations. Compare and contrast her treatment of these characters to Little Brother and Little Sister. What, according to your personal thoughts, are her motivations for treating these children differently?

Essay Topic 3

Father and Niang tell Adeline and her siblings that they want to teach them a lesson about austerity. Are they sincere in their actions? Why or why not? Is there a dichotomy between the children? Do Father and Niang live a life of austerity? Why or why not? Use specific examples to support your position.

(see the answer keys)

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