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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. On the same page that contains a unique type of media, Thi states, "We were now" what kind of "people" (267)?

2. Thi recalls that which person had talked more openly with Travis than she had with Thi?

3. How many pages of strictly visual images does Bui use to depict the stars the night of the escape?

4. In what country does Ma say she was born?

5. Chapter 5, entitled "Either, Or," revolves around which person?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the origins of Bui's memoir The Best We Could Do.

2. What occurs on April 30, 1975?

3. What is the meaning of the term "nguy" (221)?

4. In what way did the Communist party leaders use language to mask their true actions?

5. How does Bui visually depict the many different perspectives about April 30, 1975?

6. What happens when Bo's father visits Bo for the first time in 20 years?

7. What objects must the Bui family burn when the Communists begin to search the people's homes?

8. What do the glamourous photographs of Ma symbolize to Thi after she becomes an adult?

9. How does Bui elicit pathos within Chapter 7, entitled "Heroes and Losers"?

10. How do the policies of the Communist party affect the Bui family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how and why Bui instills three different humanist messages into the narrative of The Best We Could Do.

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about The Best We Could Do while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the memoir's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the memoir.

Essay Topic 3

What message does Bui send within the pages of The Best We Could Do concerning the link between communication and emotional closeness?

(see the answer keys)

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