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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. How long had Tyle been living away from his wife by the time he met Andrew?

2. Which highway did Andrew take toward his big adventure?

3. At the outbreak of the Vietnam War, what big dream did Andrew's parents have?

4. What part of California did Andrew visit during his big adventure?

5. What was the name of the intersection Andrew visited in the Red Light District of Vietnam?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What was Andrew's first impression of Mihn Luong Prison when he arrived?

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

4. What happened when Andrew's uncles took him to their local bar?

5. After returning to California from Mexico, where did Andrew live?

6. Who was Patty?

7. What was Andrew's reaction to seeing his grandmother's old house in Phan Tiet, his childhood home?

8. Who was Ronnie?

9. What message did the Vietnamese Buddah give to Chi and Andrew about their futures?

10. What personal history did Hung have with America?

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

When Andrew and his family moved to America, Andrew's life was suddenly overwhelmed with two characteristics: religion and violence. First, describe how these two elements were introduced into Andrew's life upon moving to America. Then, explain what symbolism can be found in these two elements when considering the stereotypes of American life to foreigners. If Andrew were to move to America today, do you think his experiences would be the same? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

The time Andrew's family spent in the Indonesian refugee camp clearly had an impact on Andrew's upbringing. First, describe the setting of the refugee camp and the conditions in which Andrew and his family were forced to live. Then, choose one dramatic moment from refugee camp life that greatly impacted Andrew as a child. As a reader, how can you see this event affecting Andrew through adulthood? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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