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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 ceremony does Mr. Grayson claim to be in charge of?

2. What makes it difficult to recognize Uncle Philip when Christopher reunites with him?

3. Where is Christopher told he may find Sir Cecil and Sarah?

4. According to Sir Cecil, for what do people often mistake Sarah?

5. How does Christopher's morning meeting with MacDonald go?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the lieutenant tells Christopher that they must wait before continuing to Yeh Chen's house?

2. Describe the Inn of Morning Happiness.

3. What odd habit does Christopher observe in the people of Shanghai?

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

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

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

10. Describe Christopher's encounter with Sarah and Sir Cecil at the Lucky Chance Club.

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

By the end of the novel the reader has traveled with Christopher backwards and forwards in time and from Shanghai to London and back. Starting at the earliest point in time, describe Christopher's journey? Make sure your account has a beginning, middle and end. Having put the story in chronological order, do you understand anything new about the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of memory in the novel. What does Christopher say about his own memory? How does what Christopher remembers develop his character?

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