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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In his native language, the author's true name means ___________________.
(a) "Light of dawn."
(b) "Peaceful power from above to make others kneel before him."
(c) "The strength to swim upstream."
(d) "Celestial wizard."

2. According to Mawi's father, angels often appeared in what form?
(a) Birds.
(b) Beetles.
(c) Fish.
(d) Snakes.

3. What city did Mawi's family find across the border to be filled with disease and refugees in "Memories"?
(a) Adi Wahla.
(b) Asmara.
(c) Awad.
(d) Umsagata.

4. What did Mawi's family miss the most about their homeland in "A New Life"?
(a) The language.
(b) The food.
(c) The water.
(d) The weather.

5. Eritrea became an independent nation in what year?
(a) 1991.
(b) 1993.
(c) 1979.
(d) 1983.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the Author's Note, he states that since he came to the United States, he became known by what name?

2. How old was Mawi's older brother when his family departed across the desert as refugees in "Memories"?

3. What was Mawi's father's homeland?

4. What upper middle class community did Mawi's family move to upon finding a sponsor in "A New Life"?

5. How old was Mawi when his mother took him and his siblings to become refugees in "Memories"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author explain the meaning of his name in the Author's Note? Whose story does he assert Of Beetles and Angels tells in this preface?

2. How does the author describe the educational system and his interaction with other children in "The Camp"?

3. What did the strangers from Mawi's homeland bring to his family in "A New Life"? How did they help his mother?

4. What memories does the author describe of his childhood home in "Memories"? What does he question about the memories?

5. Who helped Mawi's family in "Coming to America"? What does this organization do?

6. What incident does Mawi describe of being bullied terribly in "Playground Warfare"? Who saved him?

7. What did Mawi's family learn about American culture through television in "A New Life"? What else did they do for entertainment?

8. What did Mawi's parents believe about education, as described in "Playground Warfare"? Why?

9. Who led the author's family across the desert in "Memories"? How is she described?

10. What woman helped Mawi's family find a sponsor in "A New Life"? How did the family adjust to the culture shock of the new country?

(see the answer keys)

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