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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 was it so important to Eddie Cheng that he was attending the World Economic Forum?

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

3. What does the reader learn about Singaporean high society from the incidents in this section of the novel?

4. Why does Victoria resent her brother Philip?

5. What do Singaporeans think about Alfred Shang living in England?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What can you infer about Rachel's relationship with her mother from their phone conversation in Part 1, Chapter 7?

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

5. Despite her concern for her grandmother, where does Astrid go?

6. In Part One, Chapter One, what do you learn about Charlie Wu from his encounter with Eddie Cheng?

7. What does the reader learn about Kitty Bing from her visit to the dress salon?

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

9. What kind of relationship does Nick have with his mother, Eleanor?

10. Mabel Shang holds a grudge against Charlie Wu's mother, Irene. What is behind her lingering anger?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The type of phrasing of the novel's title doesn't follow the rules of language used in English. For example, the title might have been written The Problems Of Rich People, or Rich People's Problems. Why did the author write the title as it is? How does the title's phrasing relate to the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Vikram Ghale and Ah Ling intervene to foil Eddie's plot to isolate Su Yi from her grandchildren, Astrid and Nick. What motivates them to take action? What are the risks involved in their choices?

Essay Topic 3

There are three generations of the Young family in the novel. How does a multi-generational perspective support the story's plot? Does each generation have their own problems? Compare and contrast the three generations.

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