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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 do the Japanese soldiers tell Christopher about Akira?

2. Who does the Japanese soldier Christopher come upon turn out to be?

3. What is the cause of the explosion that rocks the ball room while Grayson and Christopher are speaking?

4. Where does Christopher find Inspector Kung?

5. What does Kung remember about the house his men could not gain entry to?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the Inn of Morning Happiness.

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

3. At Christopher's welcome party, what is the crowd's response to the explosion heard outside?

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

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

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

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

8. What vital clue does Kung reveal to Christopher?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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