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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. Bui worries most about which aspect of her parenting while she is still in the hospital after having her son?

2. Bui tells Nguyen that she had gotten good grades and taken what other action in order to get scholarships?

3. What does Bo do while Ma is working at her first job in America?

4. What two words does Ma say when Bui announces that she and her boyfriend are going to live together?

5. In the panel depicting Thi's family members, Bich says, "It's pronounced" (29) in what way?

Short Essay Questions

1. Thi likens the way she feels at the sight of the surgical instruments to what scene from her childhood?

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

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

4. For what purpose does Bui begin Chapter 2: "Rewind, Reverse" in a particular place and then change to a different era on the very next page?

5. What question does Thi ask the doctor when she is in labor with her child?

6. What food always brings comfort to Thi and why?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Determine Bui’s message within the memoir The Best We Could Do regarding the idea that some chasms that exist between family members will never be wholly filled.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the characterization methods used by Bui in depicting her father Bo and include in your discussion the reasons that Bui portrays Bo in these particular ways.

Essay Topic 3

How do the themes of deception and secrecy function within The Best We Could Do and what is Bui’s message regarding these themes?

(see the answer keys)

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