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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. Tam gets her home and rice paddies back when she is reclassified as what?

2. Makeshift bicycle taxis are known as _____.

3. How did Ton die?

4. Uncle Chinh tells Que what lie?

5. Who led the accusations against Ton's mother and sister Tam?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hang think is Uncle Chinh's motivation for visiting?

2. Why is Hang yelled out my a girl named Thu's mother?

3. Describe Hang's upbringing.

4. Why does Que leave the village?

5. What realization does Ton have about the food vendor and his half-wit wife?

6. Describe Hang's grandfather's house.

7. How did Hang's mother react to misfortune?

8. What was a typical breakfast for Hang?

9. What is the significance of the song Hang's roommate plays on the record player?

10. Describe Ton and Que's meeting.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At the end of the book, Hang decides to sell Aunt Tam's house and leave the past crimes and their sad legacy behind. She envisions a different world, larger than the small village of her ancestors Do you think Hang made the right decision? What would you have done in Hang's situation? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Aunt Tam is a survivor - she survives being denounced, having her land stolen from her and seeing family members die. She ends up being quite successful in her village. Do you think Aunt Tam could have been successful anywhere else? What do you think kept Aunt Tam from leaving to pursue success elsewhere? Was this a wise choice?

Essay Topic 3

Being a fatherless child brings Hang much anxiety and loneliness when she is young. Can the absence of a person have as much effect as the presence of one? Hang feels better after hearing the story of her father and how she was conceived in love. Why do you think this comforts Hang?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 630 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample