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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. Where does Sarah ask Christopher to go with her?

3. What landmark is Christopher looking for?

4. What are Christopher's thoughts about Sarah at the end of the book?

5. What does Christopher apologize to Jennifer for?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is Christopher treated at the police station?

3. Describe Christopher's reunion with his mother.

4. What vital clue does Kung reveal to Christopher?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What role does the advent of World War II play in the novel? How does the shape of world events parallel events in Christopher's life?

Essay Topic 2

As a child Christopher revered the great Inspector Kung. As a grown man Christopher meets the Inspector and discovers he has become a disheveled old drunk. How is this a turning point for Christopher? How is Christopher's meeting with Kung a warning to him? How does it drive him forward?

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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