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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 of the following was NOT a language the laughing old woman in the sea used in an attempt to communicate with Andrew?

2. How did Chi kill herself?

3. When Andrew was escaping Vietnam as a child, for what was the young woman he met on the street searching the sky?

4. What does Andrew remember most about his final conversation with Chi?

5. At the time of Grandpa Pham's memorial, where was Andrew living?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whose mummified remains are kept in the mausoleum in Hanoi?

2. Why did Chi make the decision to move to San Francisco?

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

4. What aspect of her life brought Chi the greatest amount of stress and sadness?

5. What argument broke out at the Pham family's memorial to their Grandfather?

6. How did Calvin feel about the prospect of moving to America?

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

8. How did Chi's life change during her fourteen years on the streets?

9. Why was Andrew's father arrested when he was a teenager?

10. What interaction did Andrew have with the one-legged cyclist in Ky An?

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, it becomes clear that Andrew experiences an extreme rift between himself and his parents. First, describe Andrew's relationship with his parents at the opening of the memoir. What does Andrew describe as "the gulf" between them? Then, describe the expectations Andrew's parents have for him as he reaches adulthood. Why does Andrew feel unable to meet those goals? Finally, describe how Andrew's experiences in Vietnam alter his relationship with his parents - for better or for worse. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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