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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What characteristic sets Victoria apart from her siblings?
(a) She is extremely religious.
(b) She is bossy.
(c) She is just like her mother.
(d) She is whiny.

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

4. Are the members of the Young family close?
(a) They share family history but not real closeness.
(b) Not at all.
(c) Yes, they all live at Tyersall Park.
(d) Yes, most of the time.

5. In Part Two, Chapter 14, what does Su Yi announce she is going to do?
(a) Return to the hospital.
(b) Disobey the doctor's instructions.
(c) Throw a party for Astrid's engagement and Nick's homecoming.
(d) Plan her own funeral.

6. When Philip, Eleanor, and Nick arrive at the house in Part Two, what is going on?
(a) The family is gathered to pray.
(b) Servants are taking luggage into the house.
(c) There are swans and peacocks on the front lawn.
(d) Everyone is watching a badminton match.

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

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

9. In Chapter 5, what does Kitty Bing purchase?
(a) A new fur coat.
(b) Three expensive dresses for her daughter.
(c) A designer ball gown.
(d) Ten pairs of Jimmy Chu shoes.

10. What literary device does the author use to provide more information about Nick's childhood?
(a) A prediction.
(b) Foreshadowing.
(c) A dream.
(d) A flashback.

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

12. Where does Alfred Shang and his family live?
(a) Mainland China.
(b) Hong Kong.
(c) Singapore.
(d) Surrey, England.

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

14. What does Su Yi's heart attack symbolize?
(a) The end of life.
(b) Change.
(c) Poor eating.
(d) Inheritance.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What purpose does Part Two serve in the novel?

2. What does Vikram tell Ah Ling?

3. How is Catherine Young's husband described?

4. What is Victoria doing when Ah Ling finds her?

5. What incident in Chapter 9 symbolizes the Young family's disregard for the money they spend?

(see the answer keys)

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