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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 what year does Thi move with her husband and son from New York City to a new place?
(a) 2013.
(b) 1999.
(c) 2002.
(d) 2006.

2. What movie does Thi recall watching at the age of 5?
(a) A Nightmare on Elm Street.
(b) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
(c) The Godfather.
(d) The Exorcist.

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

4. Chapter 1, entitled "Labor," takes place in what location?
(a) San Diego.
(b) New York.
(c) Miami.
(d) San Francisco.

5. Ma flies from California to attend the birth of which of her grandchildren?
(a) Her first.
(b) Her eighth.
(c) Her fourth.
(d) Her third.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bui names Viet Thanh Nguyen as the winner of what sort of award?

2. What "immense" (22) emotion does Bui feel after giving birth to her son?

3. As a child, Thi imagined herself and her family becoming "a little more" (65) what each day?

4. What is the earliest date included on the visual timeline of Vietnam's history that Bui includes before Chapter 1?

5. What sort of merchant had poisoned the waters near Bo's boyhood home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe two different methods Thi uses to address her problems with Bo.

2. What event within her adolescence does Thi describe as "living the dream" "for an immigrant kid" (24)?

3. In what time and place does the opening scene of The Best We Could Do begin?

4. What is one element of Ma's parenting that Bui depicts as being different for each one of her children?

5. What major change do Thi and Travis undertake in 2006 and why?

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

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

8. What are the qualities of Thi's memories about her childhood home in San Diego?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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