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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Nick do when he finds out his grandmother had a heart attack?
(a) He calls his great uncle, Alfred Shang.
(b) He tells his mother he will not return to Singapore.
(c) He does not believe the news.
(d) He immediately makes plane reservations.

2. How do Astrid's parents react to the gossip column article?
(a) Her father orders her out of the house.
(b) They blame Astrid and tell her she ruined their social standing.
(c) They understand it was not her fault.
(d) Her mother takes her out to lunch.

3. What does Su Yi's gift to Rachel symbolize?
(a) Hostility.
(b) Loyalty.
(c) Happiness.
(d) Acceptance.

4. Eddie is concerned with appearances. What happens to upset him during the lawn party?
(a) He is uncomfortable in his linen suit.
(b) His children are getting ice cream on their clothes.
(c) His wife is wearing the wrong dress.
(d) Philip is wearing nicer clothes than he is.

5. In Part Two, Chapter 2, Su Yi dreams about a priest who gives her a message. Who is the message from?
(a) Her father.
(b) Her husband.
(c) Her brother.
(d) Her mother.

6. What do the gossip columns, secret photographers, and spying symbolize in the novel?
(a) The Young family's hobby.
(b) Good journalism.
(c) Lack of privacy.
(d) Popularity.

7. What symbolic figure appears in both of Su Yi's dreams?
(a) A priest.
(b) An empress.
(c) A fruit tree.
(d) A prince.

8. Why is Astrid hesitant to go away with Charlie?
(a) She is afraid her husband will find out.
(b) She is afraid Isabel with spy on them.
(c) She is concerned about her grandmother's condition.
(d) Her mother forbid her to go.

9. Su Yi dreams she is in India. What is she doing?
(a) Su Yi visits a sacred shrine.
(b) She is trying to get back to Singapore.
(c) She meets a young priest buying candles for a Catholic church.
(d) She is walking through the streets of Bombay.

10. How did Su Yi avoid being killed by a brutal Japanese colonel?
(a) She hid in the Botanic Gardens.
(b) She played the piano.
(c) She became a spy.
(d) Vikram helped her escape.

11. What brings the members of the family together in the dining room?
(a) Ah Ching's famous crepes.
(b) Eddie's tantrum.
(c) A family meeting.
(d) Doctor Oon.

12. How is Lucia different from her grandparents?
(a) She is a spoiled brat.
(b) She speaks openly about the problems of others and challenges falsehoods.
(c) She is always reading and learning.
(d) She loves to gossip.

13. What purpose does Part Two serve in the novel?
(a) It is all a flashback.
(b) It is the climax of the story.
(c) It has the best gossip.
(d) It contains the rising action of the novel.

14. Why does Kitty Bing have a party?
(a) It's an engagement party for Astrid.
(b) To celebrate Colette's engagement.
(c) She is unveiling her newly redecorated house.
(d) A birthday party for her husband.

15. What incident in Chapter 9 symbolizes the Young family's disregard for the money they spend?
(a) All the Youngs travel with ten or more servants.
(b) Victoria purchases plane tickets for her whole family.
(c) Victoria orders Ah Tock to have 500 gallons of bottled water shipped to Singapore overnight.
(d) Alexandra buys a mansion to be near her mother.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Alfred Shang and his family live?

2. Why did Alfred Shang need to contact his physician?

3. What is Oliver T'sien's role in the novel?

4. Where do Nick and Rachel live?

5. What does Rachel encourage Nick to do?

(see the answer keys)

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