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. What is NOT a meaning of the word "nguy" (221) according to Bo?

2. Bo explains that "Saigon had its own" what called "the Binh Xuyen" (176)?

3. On the first page of Chapter 7: "Heroes and Losers," Bui depicts a famous image of Saigon that includes what form of transportation?

4. Bo and Ma are depicted as hearing via what source that the Khmer Rouge have taken the capital of Cambodia?

5. The violence in Saigon resulted in the destruction of whose opium?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. In what year does Bo arrive in Saigon for the first time and to which of Thi's own experiences does she visually compare the moment in Bo's life?

8. Who was Truong Chinh and whom did he emulate?

9. What is ironic about Ma's openness with Travis, as depicted within the setting of the car?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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)

This section contains 945 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample