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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. Which highway did Andrew take toward his big adventure?

2. What did Viet sell for a living?

3. How long had Andrew been cycling through the desert when he met Tyle?

4. How long did it take for the ship's supplies to disappear?

5. What was the name of the prison where Andrew's father had been held?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What did Andrew do on his first morning in Saigon after being reunited with his family?

3. Who was the first of the Phen children to die?

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

5. Who was Patty?

6. What was the first conversation Andrew had with Tyle?

7. In what way did violence enter the Pham family after they moved to America?

8. Who was Wong?

9. What discussion did Andrew's mother, Anh, have with a friend over tea before the fall of Saigon?

10. What happened to Andrew while on the bus headed toward Mihn Luong Prison?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the prologue of the novel, the reader learns that Andrew's sister has died. First, describe the nature of the sister's death and explain how this death affected Andrew. In what ways did this death motivate Andrew to make changes in his own life? In your opinion, did the death have a positive or negative impact on Andrew? How can you tell? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The ghosts of the Vietnam War are still very present in the country when Andrew visits to make his journey. Describe the differing viewpoints about the War Andrew encounters during his trip. Be sure to include at least two contrasting views of the effects of the War and at least two different conversations (with different people) Andrew has throughout his journey.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,001 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample