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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. What country does Hang live in at the start of the book?

2. Tam advises Hang to honor who?

3. On the train, Hang is jolted from her memories by what?

4. Why are the only true citizens, according to Ton?

5. What kind of alcohol does Aunt Tam serve?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Chinh, why is Ton's family considered an enemy of the country?

2. What was a typical breakfast for Hang?

3. Why is Hang disturbed by seeing an old street vendor with dirty feet?

4. Describe Hang's upbringing.

5. Why does a mob come to Que's house to attack her?

6. Why does Que leave the village?

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

8. How does Hang feel about returning to the village with her mother?

9. What reminds Ton of his previous life with Que?

10. Describe Hang's upbringing.

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

Madam Dua's clumsiness leads her husband to leave her, taking their child with him. Aunt Tam welcomes her into her house. What do you think is Aunt Tam's motivation to have a permanent guest? Who do you think benefits most from this living arrangement - Tam or Dua?

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)

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