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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 Eleanor disgusted by the badminton party at Tyersall Park?

2. Are the members of the Young family close?

3. What literary device does the author use to provide more information about Nick's childhood?

4. What did Colette do to Rachel?

5. What does Charlie Wu do for a living?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of the three problems discussed in the Prologue?

2. Who is Oliver T'sien and what is his relationship to Kitty Bing?

3. What is Victoria's reaction when Ah Ling announces that Alexandra and her family have arrived to see Su Yi?

4. Why does Kitty Bing lash out at her husband, Jack?

5. How does Eddie treat his mother when she tries to contradict him about Su Yi's wishes?

6. What do you learn about Rachel's personality when she encourages Nick to reconcile with his grandmother?

7. Why is Nick Young ambivalent about returning to Singapore to see his grandmother, Su Yi?

8. In Part One, Chapter One, what is foreshadowed by Charlie's concern about Isabel's missed doctor's appointment?

9. How does Nick know his grandmother is saying she is sorry for opposing his marriage?

10. What kind of relationship does Victoria have with her brother, Philip?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many of the subplots in the novel center around the family relationships between the characters. Does money make the relationships stronger? If so, why? Does money negatively impact family relationships? Explain how.

Essay Topic 2

Not all the characters in the novel are fictitious. Why does the author include real people as part of the story? Does it affect your perception of the book? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss gender roles in Rich People Problems. What are the expectations for women and men in the culture of Singapore? Are there differences in gender expectations in the three generations portrayed in the novel? Which characters do you feel are the best illustration of the gender expectations in Singaporean society?

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This section contains 721 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample