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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. With what does Dirk bribe Chinese officials?

2. How long does it take the British to recapture Canton?

3. Who is the officer on Brock's boat that wants to marry Tess?

4. Dirk learns that the Turks opened up what empire for British trade?

5. Who replaces Ah-Gip as May-may's servant?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sarah tell Dirk about Robb's last message to him?

2. Why does Dirk have to be very careful when he travels to visit Jin-qua?

3. How does Longstaff plan to break into China's tea monopoly?

4. What is Dirk's reason for firing Captain Perry?

5. What are the stakes in the wager that Dirk and Zergeyev make on the prize fight?

6. How does Dirk feel about the way Culum solves the problem of the knoll?

7. What does Brock do that causes Dirk to accuse him of piracy?

8. After finding May-may dressed in a ball gown with her hair styled like an English woman's, what does Dirk do to restore her dignity?

9. Why isn't Sarah able to attend Dirk's ball?

10. What does Dirk do to keep the bullion on board his ship a secret when he reaches Hong Kong?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dirk Straun is the hero of this story. What does it mean to be a hero? How does Dirk fit the definition of a hero? What are some of his heroic acts?

Essay Topic 2

What changes does Culum undergo through the course of the novel? What causes the changes? Is he truly ready to be tai pan at the close of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the culture clash between the English and the Chinese people in this novel. Where do we see the clash? How does the clash affect the events of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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