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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. Why didn't Cuong/Calvin want to move to America?

2. Growing up, what did Chi use to bind her breasts?

3. How much money did the station master demand from Andrew before he could board the commuter train to Hanoi?

4. Why did the children in Hanoi throw rocks at Andrew?

5. How did Andrew feel about visiting the tourist area of Hanoi?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a gape fish?

2. What regrets did Andrew's father carry with him throughout his adult life?

3. What type of relationship did Trieu have with her birth father, the colonel?

4. When was Andrew first introduced to adult sexuality?

5. Why wasn't Andrew allowed to board the commuter train from Muong Man?

6. What two images does Andrew encounter that he believes are perfect symbols for the people of Japan?

7. What opinion did the American Vietnam War vet, whom Andrew met in a coffee shop, have about the War?

8. What animal did Andrew see get hit by a car when he was leaving Hanoi?

9. What happened when the police stopped Andrew on the cargo train to Hanoi?

10. What memories does Andrew have about the way his family made money in Vietnam?

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

Throughout the memoir, Andrew offers many different symbols to bring meaning to the people of Vietnam and their experiences, including the famous ruins and the gape fish. Choose one of these symbols - or another that you deem fit - and explain the symbol here. Where did Andrew first encounter this symbol? What understanding did Andrew believe the message brought to him about the Vietnamese people? Do you agree with Andrew's assessment? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout his childhood, Andrew had various experiences with American soldiers during the Vietnam War. First, choose two significant experiences Andrew had with American soldiers and describe them here. Then, describe how Andrew's experiences with American soldiers during the war helped to shape his view of America before he moved there? What expectations did Andrew have of America before moving there? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

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