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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 holiday was the first "American" holiday celebrated by the Pham family in America?

2. What was the name of the taxi dancer with whom Andrew spent time while visiting Sean's family?

3. How did Chi's father react when he learned that Chi had been feeding the leper next-door?

4. What did Wong, the man Andrew befriended at the Indonesian refugee camp, do for a living?

5. To what state did the Pham family move immediately upon immigrating to America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was significant about Andrew's memory involving ice cream?

2. With whom did Andrew spend his time while he was staying in Vung Tao?

3. When did Andrew's mother want Andrew to leave for his trip to Vietnam?

4. What ties did Andrew's family have to Phan Thiet?

5. What horrific experiences did Andrew's father live through while imprisoned in the torture camp?

6. What happened to Andrew when the Indonesian freighter intercepted the fishing boat?

7. What memories did Andrew recount when he took a cup of tea to the roof of the Nguyen's house?

8. Who was Patty?

9. What did Viet do for a living?

10. What happened when Tyle joined Andrew at his nighttime campfire in Mexico?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Prostitution was a large part of the Pham family's past and is therefore very present in the novel. First, describe the Pham family's involvement in prostitution and discuss their motivations, as a family, for getting involved in this business. Then, describe how this background shaped Andrew into the adult he is now. In your opinion, is this memoir justifying the Asian sex-trade? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the memoir, Andrew utilized almost every different mode of travel available. First, create a list of transportation methods Andrew used during his journey. Then, choose two modes of transportation and compare / contrast the experience of these travels, particularly when considering Andrew's historic quest for answers. In your opinion, what mode of transportation was most beneficial for Andrew, given his unique travel desires? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Andrew's journey to Vietnam represents a strong emotional journey for him as an individual. First, describe why Andrew chose to make this journey in the first place. What was he hoping to accomplish during this trip? At the end of the memoir, do you think his journey was a success? Why or why not? In what ways did this journey change his life back in the States? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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