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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Once Sombo's group dwindles to a number of only seven kids, plus Sombo and Koong, they become so tired that they drop most of what they have been carrying. What are the two things they continue to carry?
(a) Guns and bullets.
(b) Cooking pots and kindling.
(c) Water and food.
(d) Extra socks and underwear.

2. What creatures does the author depict fleeing from the sounds of war in order to underscore the theme of the unnatural?
(a) Spiders.
(b) Lizards.
(c) Monkeys.
(d) Birds.

3. When the group comes upon a little hidden village and the men beg Sombo and the boys not to hurt them, what does one of the men offer Sombo as a gift?
(a) A drink of fresh water.
(b) A bottle of Coca-Cola.
(c) A banyan tree fruit.
(d) A sweet potato.

4. Mr. Pond's question to Arn about which two boys are his favorite elicits a response naming Sojeat and Ravi, even though Arn admits to the reader that his actual favorite boy is Runty. Why does he not list Runty among the names he tells Mr. Pond?
(a) Because Runty does not like Mr. Pond.
(b) Because Runty is scared all the time and is not good at volleyball.
(c) Because Arn suspects they are going to do something dangerous and he does not want Runty to get hurt.
(d) Because earlier that day Runty told Missus Gotobed that Arn had said a bad word.

5. Arn says there are many things to be afraid of at night, and now he has one more thing to be afraid of after they have shot everyone in the village below. What is that thing?
(a) That he'll be left on his own since now sometimes the group moves in the nighttime and he has come close to being left behind.
(b) Sleep since it is now filled with nightmares.
(c) Sombo since he now comes in the night to tell Arn disturbing stories of his childhood.
(d) The fire going out because of the danger of villagers who may have escaped coming to kill them for revenge.

6. What simile does Arn use to describe his sister's appearance when he sees her?
(a) Like an overworked horse.
(b) Like a tired mother.
(c) Like a whisper of air.
(d) Like a tiny old woman.

7. What instructions does Arn's sister give him when he is able to sneak out to see her in the night?
(a) She tells him to ask Sombo if she can join their group as their new rice girl.
(b) She tells him not to be too brave and to hide from the bullets so she can see him again.
(c) She tells him to run away and to meet her at the mountain camp where two of their other sisters are living.
(d) She tells him to listen to Sombo and to practice the art of war continually so that he may stay alive.

8. 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.

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

10. When Arn has a touching moment with the baby monkey but then snaps its neck and wonders why he has done this terrible thing, what conclusion does he come to?
(a) He realizes that he did it because he has to think about surviving every minute of every day.
(b) He realizes that he did it because he was hugging the monkey so hard that he didn't realize he was throttling it.
(c) He realizes that he did it because he hasn't killed anyone in a long time and has a thirst for killing.
(d) He realizes that he did it because he saw the monkey having a good time with its family and he was jealous.

11. Who tells Arn that Sombo is only being mean in order to protect Arn from harm?
(a) The leader with the white shorts.
(b) Chantou.
(c) Mek.
(d) Kha.

12. After Arns separates from the other boys, he wants to get to Thailand. What is the only landmark he knows about that will signal him he's about to get to Thailand?
(a) He knows he will have to climb the tallest mountain of three peaks on the horizon.
(b) He knows he will have to cross a river.
(c) He knows he will have to cross a series of three bridges.
(d) He knows he will have to wade through a swamp.

13. When his sister kisses Arn's ear, what is NOT something he says the sensation feels like?
(a) Rustling leaves.
(b) Butterfly wings.
(c) Angels.
(d) Heaven.

14. After the tragedy, Arn goes to see the Khmer Rouge soldier boy who has told Arn and the other Little Fish that they are not real soldiers. What does he do before he goes to see this boy?
(a) He changes into an all-black uniform.
(b) He borrows everyone's rifles and hangs them all across his body.
(c) He paints his face with blood.
(d) He puts on white shorts and takes off his shirt.

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) Phon.
(b) Sig.
(c) Munny.
(d) Phat.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens the first time Arn shoots his gun?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. Why does Arn start to suspect that Koong is Sombo's new favorite boy?

5. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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