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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. What is the first question Christopher asks Sir Cecil?

2. What is Christopher's memory of Akira's house?

3. How does Christopher describe Miss Givens's smiles?

4. Where does Jennifer live before Christopher adopts her?

5. Why does Christopher tell Colonel Chamberlain that he doesn't think it will be necessary for him to go to England?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Akira say when Christopher asks if his parents sometime stop talking to each other?

3. How is Jennifer's nanny selected?

4. How is Christopher put in a difficult position when Uncle Philip suggests a trip to the racecourse?

5. Describe Christopher's residence in 1937.

6. Describe Christopher's reunion with Colonel Chamberlain.

7. What does Akira believe about Ling Tien?

8. Why does Christopher consider inviting Chamberlain to the Dorchester "the height of inconsideration?"

9. How does Christopher receive his magnifying glass?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kazuo Ishiguro is very specific about dates and years In WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS. Why is specificity of time crucial to the story? What does it reveal about the narrator? How does it affect the reader? How does this specificity contrast with Christopher's highly subjective memories of his past?

Essay Topic 2

Choose three examples of Christopher's perception of himself clashing with others' perception of him. What is the effect of this perception gap? Why do you think Ishiguro uses this device?

Essay Topic 3

What role does the opium trade play in the novel? How does it create conflict? How does it develop characters? How does it drive the story?

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