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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Arn, Kha, and Siv are allowed to go in the pond to wash, they try to sink to the bottom, partly in order to escape the world above the water. Why can they not sink very far down for very long?
(a) Because there are poisonous snakes that lurk at the bottom of the pond.
(b) Because they might get disoriented and drown.
(c) Because the soldiers won't let them.
(d) Because their stomachs are empty.

2. 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 refuses to share his extra rice with Arn.
(c) Sombo swears at him and spits on the ground when Sombo asks to go wherever Sombo is being taken by the high-ranking soldier.
(d) Arn sees Sombo strike Siv in the face for being clumsy.

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

4. The American man whom Arn at first calls Jesus Monk, later finding out his name is Mr. Pond, takes pity on Arn and gives him medicine to cure what ailment?
(a) Dysentery.
(b) Yellow Fever.
(c) Malaria.
(d) Worms.

5. Why does Sombo return to the hidden village to kill everyone who lives there?
(a) Because he has become thirsty for blood after a lack of battle for so long.
(b) Because he thinks they told the Vietnamese his group's location.
(c) Because he goes back to steal their food and they put up a struggle, so he kills them.
(d) Because he is worried that if he does not, the villagers will sneak into their camp and kill them first.

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

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

8. What is the name of the only other boy at the Children's Center who was formerly a child soldier besides Arn?
(a) Sojeat.
(b) Koong.
(c) Ravi.
(d) Runty.

9. Why does Sombo leave Arn and the other boys to fend for themselves?
(a) He leaves because he is fed up with taking care of so many boys.
(b) He leaves because he is mad at Arn for Arn's reaction after he murders the villagers.
(c) He leaves because he knows that if there is one fewer mouth to feed, the boys will be more likely to survive.
(d) He leaves because Koong is sick with a fever and he wants to take him to a Thai hospital.

10. Arn hallucinates, seeing a rabbit as large as he is and this illusion seems to lead the way to Thailand. What color is the rabbit he hallucinates?
(a) Black.
(b) White.
(c) Orange.
(d) Brown.

11. What kind of platoon is Arn's sister traveling with?
(a) A group of all female soldiers.
(b) A group of ragtag escapees from other platoons.
(c) A group of high-ranking Khmer Rouge leaders.
(d) A group of children soldiers.

12. 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) "Why didn't you save us."
(d) "Come for us soon."

13. 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 Maly.
(c) His older sister Jorami.
(d) His older sister Chantou.

14. The author uses the occasion of Arn's transition into the role of soldier to refer back to events at the start of the novel. What are those events and what triggers them in Arn's thoughts?
(a) He remembers a prayer and recites it out loud, causing him to think about the monk teacher whom he used to bribe so he could skip school to sell his wares.
(b) He feels a sense of power from being armed and likens it to the feeling he used to get from earning his own money and having the power to buy things other kids couldn't.
(c) He straps a gun and ammunition to his chest and it reminds him of playing soldiers with his little brother Munny, just as they did after the movie so long ago.
(d) He looks up into the sky and hears the rat-a-tat-tat of artillery, which makes him think of the sound his cheap vendor bell used to make as he sold from his cart.

15. The leader with the white shorts orders Arn to come entertain his guests at a party he is throwing at his house. For how many days does the party last?
(a) 3 days.
(b) 5 days.
(c) 7 days.
(d) 2 days.

Short Answer Questions

1. After Arn becomes a sort of personal assistant to the leader with the white shorts, what privilege is he granted?

2. Who nurses Arn enough to bring him back to consciousness once he reaches Thailand?

3. What happens the first time Arn and and another Little Fish go to drop grenades into the tanks of the Vietnamese soldiers?

4. 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?

5. For the first few days in the hospital, Arn is given a certain food to keep him alive. What is that food?

(see the answer keys)

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