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

2. Who finally agrees to escort Christopher?

3. How does Christopher behave the morning after Sarah's invitation?

4. Who ends up knowing where the blind man lives?

5. How does Akira respond when he enters the house of the blind man?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Describe the Inn of Morning Happiness.

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. Describe Christopher and Akira's entry into Yeh Chen's house.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Who is Sir Cecil Medhurst? What does he represent to Christopher? How does his demise change the direction of Christopher Bank's future?

Essay Topic 3

Christopher's mother is one of the most prominent figures in his life both before and after her abduction. What qualities does Christopher inherit from his mother? How do these very qualities prevent him from giving up on finding her? How is Christopher's relationship with his mother transformed by her abduction? How is it transformed by her rescue?

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