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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After Arn becomes a sort of personal assistant to the leader with the white shorts, what privilege is he granted?
(a) He gets to sleep in late and eat a breakfast of rice cakes.
(b) He gets to ride the leader's white horse.
(c) He gets to go in the leader's room to sleep on a soft feather pillow on the floor.
(d) He gets to run as fast as he wants, a practice normally forbidden so that escapes may be detected.

2. What happens the first time Arn plays volleyball?
(a) He sprains his ankle diving for the ball.
(b) He tucks into a crouch when the ball falls from the sky toward him.
(c) He runs into another kid, bloodying both of their noses.
(d) He spikes the ball over the net and scores a point for his team.

3. What is Koong's function within Sombo's group?
(a) He sings old Cambodian love songs to the group each night.
(b) He catches rats, insects, frogs and snakes to feed the group when their rice runs out.
(c) He checks the ground for land mines as the group follows behind him.
(d) He goes ahead of the group in order to look for Vietnamese soldiers.

4. Besides the fact that Arn was a child soldier and Sojeat and Ravi were not, what other main difference is there between his background and theirs?
(a) Arn's parents both raised him until the Khmer Rouge came, while the parents of Sojeat and Ravi were divorced before then.
(b) Sojeat and Ravi used to look up the Khmer Rouge soldiers, while Arn did everything he could to rebel against them.
(c) Sojeat's and Ravi's families had enough money to send them to school.
(d) Arn's family was religious, while the families of Sojeat and Ravi were not.

5. What does the hospital look like where Arn arrives when he gets off the bus?
(a) It is a big stucco building with lots of windows.
(b) It is a brick building that looks like a prison.
(c) It is a tent with open sides.
(d) It is a mud hut with a thatched roof.

6. When he is mistaken for a member of the Khmer Rouge by one of their leaders, what is Arn's reaction?
(a) He yells at the leader, telling him that he is a captive.
(b) He sits down on the grass and cries.
(c) He vows to get even with this leader someday.
(d) He considers running away from camp.

7. One time when Sombo's group passes another platoon in the woods, he recognizes that platoon's rice girl. Who is it?
(a) His little sister Sophea.
(b) His older sister Chantou.
(c) His older sister Maly.
(d) His older sister Jorami.

8. What sets Arn apart from the rest of the group and causes his fame to grow by the day?
(a) He plays musical instruments, sings, and dances, all while smiling.
(b) He never complains about the hours of practice he must endure to master the xylophone.
(c) He is more handsome than the other boys in the band.
(d) He is more obedient than the other boys, so the Khmer Rouge reward him by spreading the word about his talents.

9. What happens to cause Arn to say that now "even the earth is our enemy" (126)?
(a) The vegetables they plant won't grow.
(b) Vietnamese soldiers leap out of a ditch to attack their group.
(c) Their rice girl steps on a land mine and loses her leg.
(d) When they bury their dead, the earth expels their bloated bodies.

10. What happens the first time Arn and and another Little Fish go to drop grenades into the tanks of the Vietnamese soldiers?
(a) Arn and the other boy are both successful and feel very proud of their accomplishment.
(b) The other boy gets scared and doesn't join Arn in climbing onto the tank, but Arn fulfills the mission.
(c) Arn gets scared and doesn't climb onto the tank and the other boy gets hurt as a result.
(d) Arn is successful at the mission but the other boy's foot is blown off.

11. What event causes Arn to question whether Sombo is still his friend or not?
(a) Arn overhears Sombo telling another soldier how annoying he finds Arn's behavior.
(b) Sombo swears at him and spits on the ground when Sombo asks to go wherever Sombo is being taken by the high-ranking soldier.
(c) Sombo refuses to share his extra rice with Arn.
(d) Arn sees Sombo strike Siv in the face for being clumsy.

12. When Mr. Pond gives Arn new clothes, Arn gives his old clothes to Mr. Pond. Mr. Pond then breaks down in tears. Why does he cry?
(a) Because the clothes are full of holes.
(b) Because the clothes are three sizes too small for Arn.
(c) Because the clothes are stiff with blood and dirt and the smell of death.
(d) Because the clothes are the black uniform Mr. Pond knows is worn by the Khmer Rouge.

13. For the first few days in the hospital, Arn is given a certain food to keep him alive. What is that food?
(a) Yogurt.
(b) Honey.
(c) Powdered milk.
(d) Guava fruit.

14. When Arn becomes delirious with hunger, he sees the monkey family and then his own family and they chant words to him over and over. What are those words he hears them chant?
(a) "Peace be with you."
(b) "See you again."
(c) "Come for us soon."
(d) "Why didn't you save us."

15. Sombo brings his new group to join with another camp composed mainly of true Khmer Rouge kids, not soldiers like Arn who have been held captive and then forced into battle by the Khmer Rouge. What is the main child leader's name within this other group?
(a) Sig.
(b) Phon.
(c) Phat.
(d) Munny.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Sombo leave Arn and the other boys to fend for themselves?

2. What is the name of the only other boy at the Children's Center who was formerly a child soldier besides Arn?

3. When Arn finds Sophea lying motionless, he considers killing her to save her from rape, from murder at another's hands, or from being eaten by wild animals. He doesn't, instead choosing to take what action?

4. What special food does Arn steal from the leader's house party so that he can share it with Siv and Kha when he returns to camp?

5. When Arn asks a nurse what month and year it is, she replies that it's March 1979. He then figures out he has been away from home for how long in total?

(see the answer keys)

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