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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. The last time Bo saw his mother was in what year?
(a) 1939.
(b) 1945.
(c) 1959.
(d) 1951.

2. Throughout the memoir, Bo's grandfather is referred to as what type of gentleman?
(a) Dapper.
(b) Leisurely.
(c) Cunning.
(d) Careful.

3. Once all of Thi's family lives in the same state, where does Ma live?
(a) In Tam's backyard.
(b) In Thi's backyard.
(c) In Bich's guest house.
(d) In a hotel.

4. In what location does Tam hide when things are tense in the house?
(a) The cellar.
(b) The treehouse.
(c) The closet.
(d) The attic.

5. Thi tells a story about her Bo that involves what kind of body of water in Hai Phong?
(a) A marsh.
(b) A pond.
(c) A lake.
(d) A bay.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bo recalls how in the midst of starvation, his mother had sometimes been able to buy a small piece of what type of meat to share only with Bo?

2. Thi and her siblings go to bed at what time every night while under the care of Bo?

3. Thi states that her parents had escaped from Vietnam by using what form of transport?

4. Ma flies from California to attend the birth of which of her grandchildren?

5. How many years after Ma's suicide attempt does she bring up the subject with Thi for the first time?

Short Essay Questions

1. What behavior of Ma's disappoints Thi in the memoir's opening scene?

2. What sort of tone does Bui use to describe Bo's parenting style?

3. What event causes a very young Bo to mentally disown his father?

4. What lesson does Thi learn through undertaking a major change in 2006?

5. How does Bui incorporate foreshadowing in her creation of The Best We Could Do?

6. For what purpose are allusions to heaven and hell included in Chapter 3?

7. How does the doctor respond to Thi's question about her child's birth?

8. Explain the nature of the present-day relationship between Bo and Ma.

9. What is the strongest emotion Thi feels toward Bo toward the end of her adolescence?

10. What dangerous action does Bo take regularly throughout Thi's childhood?

(see the answer keys)

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