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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 Isabel call Charlie in Part Three?

2. Why is there a black pearl between Su Yi's teeth?

3. What does Ah Ling give Nick in Part Four?

4. Which of Ah Ma's daughters was with her when she died?

5. Why does Kitty call Oliver when she receives British Tattle magazine?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Eddie learns of Su Yi's death, he throws himself on her body and cries uncontrollably. What is the real motivation for his actions?

2. What is in the letter Ah Ling gives to Nick?

3. Why is Nick excluded from speaking at his grandmother's funeral?

4. After Kitty and Jack Bing tour Tyersall Park, what does Nick tell his aunts about Colette?

5. Why do Victoria, Felicity, and Alexandra open their mother's coffin?

6. What does Alfred tell Su Yi's family about her source of income?

7. In Chapter 15, what does Isabel do after she calls Charlie?

8. What is in the video that Michael sends to Astrid?

9. Who does Charlie visit in Los Angeles in an effort to find Astrid?

10. What does Nick discuss with his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Nick finds his grandmother's diaries, he learns things about her past that were largely unknown to her family. What does Nick learn about her character? How does he react to what he learns? What effect do Su Yi's diaries have on Nick and his decisions concerning Tyersall Park?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss gender roles in Rich People Problems. What are the expectations for women and men in the culture of Singapore? Are there differences in gender expectations in the three generations portrayed in the novel? Which characters do you feel are the best illustration of the gender expectations in Singaporean society?

Essay Topic 3

The novel takes place in various settings around the world. Discuss the various locations and how they contribute to the plot. Why did the author include so many locations? Could the story take place in one location? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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