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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 does Daesu hesitate to open his own Tae Kwon Do studio?

2. How does Big Grandpa Jang treat Little Grandpa Jang?

3. Which of the following questions does Areum ask himself as a kind of writing prompt in Chapter 4?

4. What is Areum's mother's name?

5. What question does Daesu ask Mira about babies' dreams in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mira explain her decision to have Areum and to get married to Sumi in Chapter 5?

2. What problems does Areum's mother suffer during her pregnancy with him?

3. In Chapter 7, what new complication do Areum's doctors tell him about that is very upsetting for him?

4. Why does Mira take her time walking with Areum in public, even when he wants to hurry sometimes?

5. In Chapter 4, what does Mira say to Areum about his illness that startles him?

6. Why does Areum's mother bind her stomach for a time during her pregnancy?

7. How does Areum's grandfather help Daesu try to start a better life in Chapter 3?

8. Why does Areum's grandfather on his mother's side dislike his father Daesu from the beginning?

9. What does Areum notice about his parents' stories of the early life of their family?

10. In Chapter 5, what surprises Mira about her early days as a wife and mother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Areum's impression of how each of his parents privately handle the stresses and challenges of his illness? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 7, why does Areum's mother take her time when his instinct is to hurry so as to avoid other people's stares and whispers? What does Aruem's mother's approach mean to him? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Kim chooses to begin this novel with Areum recounting the history of his parents' background and the circumstances surrounding his own birth? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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