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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. Where does Christopher meet Sarah on the day they are to leave?

2. Why can the police not send someone with Christopher to the blind man's house?

3. How old is Jennifer at the end of the book?

4. Who ends up knowing where the blind man lives?

5. Under what circumstances would Sarah leave Shanghai?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Christopher's reunion with his mother.

2. Describe Christopher and Akira's entry into Yeh Chen's house.

3. How does Christopher spend his afternoon before meeting up with Sarah and Sir Cecil at the Lucky Chance Club?

4. How does Christopher feel about his reunion with Akira?

5. What vital clue does Kung reveal to Christopher?

6. What happens at the consulate when Christopher asks to meet with Mr. MacDonald?

7. What is Jennifer's proposal for herself and Christopher?

8. What happens to Christopher as he is finishing his lunch on the day he is to leave for Macao?

9. How is Christopher treated at the police station?

10. What does Christopher do after he is certain he and Akira have not been pursued?

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

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 Christopher's relationship with Akira play in the story? How does it evolve? How does it shape the man Christopher becomes?

(see the answer keys)

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