View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Bo states that "The New Economic Zones" (222) were actually what?

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

3. Ma says that she stayed in what types of schools throughout her "entire education" (140)?

4. Kieu is related to Thi in what way?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What do the glamorous photographs of Ma symbolize to Thi during her childhood?

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

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

4. What new law is one that Ma is unwilling to follow?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What occurs on April 30, 1975?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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 is the role of motherhood treated within The Best We Could Do and how does its treatment relate to the memoir's depicted messages?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 871 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample