The Curious Incident

How does Christopher perceive strangers?

• As potential friends

• As dangerous and unpredictable

• As people to learn from

• As figures of authority

How does Christopher feel about lies?

• He finds them fascinating

• He believes they are necessary

• He is confused by them

• He detests them

In a well-structured paragraph, that is between 130-300 words, explain how the protagonist, Christopher, and the principle of Occam's Razor parallel each other. Consider how Christopher approaches problem-solving in his life and how this mirrors the concept of Occam's Razor, which suggests that the simplest explanation is usually the best one. Use specific examples (a paraphrase or summary) from the text to support your explanation.

Who are the three people Christopher knows that use little circles instead of dots over the letter 'i'?

• Siobhan, Mr. Loxely, and his Mother

• Siobhan, Mr. Loxely, and his Father

• Siobhan, Mrs. Gray, and his Mother

• Siobhan, Mrs. Gray, and his Father

Where does Christopher discover the envelope?​ (a)  

• In a shirt box

• Under his bed

• In his school bag

• In the kitchen drawer

What does Christopher report to his father about his day at school?

• He studied history and had a salad for lunch

• He did Life Skills with Mrs. Gray, had tomato soup for lunch, and practiced maths in the afternoon

• He played football and had a sandwich for lunch

• He did art with Mrs. Peters, had pasta for lunch, and read a book in the afternoon

Where does Christopher eventually find his book?

• In the trashcan

• In the garden waste bin

• In a box in his father's room

• In his school bag

What action does Christopher take when he hears his father's van pull up outside the house?

• He hides his book

• He runs out to greet him

• He starts cooking dinner

• He goes to his room

• He runs to his room

What does Christopher's mother mention about their new flat?

• It is larger than the old one

• • It is in a better neighborhood

• It is not as nice as the old one

• It has a beautiful view

How close was your response to this response?

In Mark Haddon's novel "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," the protagonist, Christopher, embodies the principle of Occam's Razor, which posits that the most straightforward explanation is often the most accurate. Christopher, a fifteen-year-old autistic boy, navigates the world with blunt honesty, a literal interpretation of events, and an aversion to convoluted explanations. He solves problems by reducing them to their most elemental form. A striking example is his approach to the mystery of who killed Wellington, the neighbor's dog. Rather than speculating about motives or jumping to conclusions, Christopher methodically investigates, asking direct questions and seeking concrete evidence. He does not entertain the possibility of complex motives or hidden agendas but instead focuses on the facts as he sees them. This approach mirrors Occam's Razor, which advocates for simplicity over complexity. Just as Occam's Razor removes needless assumptions to reveal the simplest explanation, Christopher cuts through societal norms and emotional complexities to uncover the truth in its most basic, unadorned form.

• 1. Extremely close, almost identical.

• 1. Quite close, only minor differences.

• 1. Somewhat close, with several notable differences.

• 1. Not very close, many differences.

• 1. Not close at all, completely different.