View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What do the Japanese soldiers do with Christopher?

3. Where does Sarah ask Christopher to go with her?

4. Why does Christopher's escort leave him?

5. What case does Christopher ask Kung about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Inn of Morning Happiness.

2. What happens at the consulate when Christopher asks to meet with Mr. MacDonald?

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

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

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

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

7. How is Christopher treated at the police station?

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

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 is Jennifer's role in the story? What does she represent for Christopher? Why is Christopher so eager to adopt her?

Essay Topic 2

It is a mixed blessing when Christopher finds his mother and discovers what happened to his father. Why? What does Christopher gain? What is taken away? How is he transformed?

Essay Topic 3

WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS is written in first person. Why is this the most effective choice for Ishiguro's purposes? Discuss the impact of first person on character and story development.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample