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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 does Christopher's escort leave him?

2. What does Uncle Philip say happened to Christopher's father?

3. What is the truth about Christopher's mother?

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

5. Why does Christopher's driver stop when they are looking for the blind actor's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Christopher learn about Inspector Kung from Morgan?

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

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

5. Describe Christopher's return to his childhood home.

6. What does Uncle Philip say happened to Christopher's parents?

7. Describe Christopher's reunion with his mother.

8. How does the man driving Christopher to meet Sarah prove to be very useful?

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

10. What does Uncle Philip offer Christopher at the end of their meeting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Christopher's mother is one of the most prominent figures in his life both before and after her abduction. What qualities does Christopher inherit from his mother? How do these very qualities prevent him from giving up on finding her? How is Christopher's relationship with his mother transformed by her abduction? How is it transformed by her rescue?

(see the answer keys)

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