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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. When Sombo takes Arn away from the group, his parting from Kha and Siv is especially hard. What about the separation makes it particularly tough for Arn?

2. When he is allowed a special privilege by the leader, what does he find himself doing for the first time in three years?

3. What new job does the child leader give the Little Fish so that they can prove their loyalty to Angka?

4. 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?

5. When Arn has fallen so ill that he's afraid he will die, an American man comes to the hospital. What does Arn do in order to get the man's attention?

Short Essay Questions

1. At the start of his stay in the hospital, how does the author demonstrate that Arn has contracted Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time under the rule of the Khmer Rouge?

2. When the Khmer Rouge put Arn and 19 other boys into a platoon they call Little Fish with the Big Sting, what thought of Arn's acts as foreshadowing for the coming carnage?

3. How is the theme of family shaped and twisted within the narrative when the camp erupts into chaos at the news that the Vietnamese soldiers are close?

4. Describe the parting of Arn and Mek. What is its significance within the course of the narrative?

5. How does the white rabbit enter the narrative of the story and what is its significance?

6. Why does Arn turn over all of the dead bodies of the villagers to look into their faces?

7. The theme of fame arises once again when the leader with the white shorts notices Arn due to the attention he has gotten for his music and dancing, so he tells Arn to come to his house to entertain at his party. What message is being sent about fame in this scene?

8. After Sombo leaves the group to take Koong to a Thai hospital, the kids all argue about which they should go. Arn goes in the opposite direction and they see, but do not care. What reason does Arn give for their apathy?

9. What is the author's purpose for including Arn's comment that "now even the earth is our enemy"? (126)

10. Why does Arn begin to shake after he boards the bus with the other refugees?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though the reader may expect that once Arn gets to America, his life will be perfect, the author instead chooses to show the significant difficulties Arn experiences upon his arrival. Explain what these difficulties are and ultimately, explain why the author chose to include them within the narrative.

Essay Topic 2

Due to the horrific nature of the war in which Arn is forced to participate, he starts to show signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) fairly early on in the novel. Research the symptoms of PTSD, find instances of Arn displaying these symptoms, and discuss how the inclusion of such symptoms contributes to the author's message about war.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance of the novel's title and of the repeated references to it throughout the novel. What is the author's purpose in including the theme of "never falling down," both in the title and throughout the narrative of the novel?

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