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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. Who greets Dirk while the men are unloading the barrels in Chapter 12?

2. Whose ship rams Dirk's lorcha as he leaves the settlement following the order for all foreigners to leave?

3. What is the amount of the ransom that the British receive for Canton?

4. When Dirk returns home after the ball, who is waiting for him in his living room?

5. What do May-may and Ah-Sam use to see Dirk on his boat during the festivities?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Brock do that causes Dirk to accuse him of piracy?

2. Why does Dirk oppose Longstaff's idea of evacuating Happy Valley?

3. Why do the Chinese consider Ti-sen a traitor?

4. How does Longstaff plan to break into China's tea monopoly?

5. After finding May-may dressed in a ball gown with her hair styled like an English woman's, what does Dirk do to restore her dignity?

6. How does Gordon Chen build up the Hung Mun in Hong Kong?

7. Why doesn't Dirk want to move their operations out of Happy Valley?

8. Why do the merchants think they will be attacked when they are at the Canton settlement?

9. Why isn't Sarah able to attend Dirk's ball?

10. How does Brock know about Dirk's financial problems?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How are the relationships between parents and their children represented in this novel? Do the relationships seem healthy? Why or why not? Are there differences between the ways sons and daughters are treated? If so, what are they?

Essay Topic 2

There are several instances of symbolism in Tai-Pan, such as the half coins and the relationship between Dirk and May-may. Discuss the presence of symbolism in the novel, including what the symbols are and what they stand for.

Essay Topic 3

The rivalry between Dirk and Brock is enormous and is responsible for much of the action in the book. Why are these two characters such bitter rivals? What led to their current relationship and how does their relationship affect their companies and families?

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