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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. Who does young Christopher see being very familiar with the plump-faced man?

2. How does Sarah react to Christopher at the Mayfair party?

3. What is Christopher's reaction to the "bursting-in" moment his father referred to?

4. After leading Christopher in the crowded city center, what does Uncle Philip do?

5. What does the silver-haired man offer Christopher?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Christopher finally sees Akira after Mr. Banks disappearance, how does Akira behave?

2. What are Christopher's earliest encounters with Sarah like?

3. How is Christopher and Akira's friendship when Akira returns from Japan?

4. How does Christopher receive his magnifying glass?

5. Describe the opium campaign meetings.

6. What is significant about the disappearance of Jennifer's trunk?

7. What does Christopher remember about Uncle Philip on the day of Wang Ku's visit?

8. Describe Christopher's residence in 1937.

9. What does Christopher remember about the days following his father's disappearance?

10. Describe Christopher's meeting with the silver-haired man.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The motif of the outsider is featured in WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS. Choose three scenes from the novel where Ishiguro uses this motif to advance the plot and develop characters. How is this done?

Essay Topic 2

WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS is written in first person. Why is this the most effective choice for Ishiguro's purposes? Discuss the impact of first person on character and story development.

Essay Topic 3

What role does detection play in WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS? What inherent qualities in Christopher's character do you think lead him to this career choice? How do his family circumstances shape him as a detective?

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