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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. Hai and Bo took what action to keep Hai's children quiet as the patrol boats passed?

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

3. During Thi's parents' escape attempt, what happened to the boat?

4. Bo says that eventually, the land reforms resulted in the deaths of how many people?

5. Seats on the escape boat are described as being "bought in" what "or in promises of repayment" (229)?

Short Essay Questions

1. What objects do the Communists consider to be "capitalist filth" (220)?

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

3. One day a box arrives at the Bui home and it is from Vietnam. What is contained inside?

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

5. For what specific purpose does Bui depict Ma's dedication to her children?

6. What two poses does Thi use to depict her childhood sketches of Ma?

7. What occurs on April 30, 1975?

8. What is Thi's hypothesis about why one particular person in her life is difficult for her to write about?

9. What action does Bui depict in order to symbolize Ma's dedication to her children?

10. What extreme action do Bo and Hai take in order to keep Hai's children quiet during the escape?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of grief within The Best We Could Do. What is Bui’s message regarding grief and how do you know?

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

Discuss the instances of irony within the narrative of The Best We Could Do and analyze Bui’s purpose for including each instance you discuss.

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