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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What example is given of a person who would inhabit the lowest level of songbun?
(a) A heretic.
(b) A thief.
(c) A murderer whose victim is of higher status.
(d) A political prisoner with no hope of release.

2. Hyeonseo's first memory consists of almost dying in what way?
(a) Almost suffocating.
(b) Almost being beaten to death by a soldier.
(c) Almost getting hit by a train.
(d) Almost drowning.

3. What does Hyeonseo say is the only "permitted outlet for spiritual fervor" (41) in North Korea?
(a) Kim worship.
(b) The business trade.
(c) One Catholic mass per year.
(d) Self-criticism sessions.

4. What insects did Hyeonseo's teacher point out to the class during their field trip in order to say that even they were "sad at the Great Leader's death" (72)?
(a) Crickets.
(b) Dragonflies.
(c) Butterflies.
(d) Bees.

5. The author states that once she entered kindergarten, she never again belonged to her parents, but instead belonged to whom?
(a) Kim Il-sung.
(b) Her future husband.
(c) The state.
(d) Kim Jong-il.

6. What document does a North Korean citizen need in order to even leave their local county?
(a) A North Korean ID.
(b) A work permit.
(c) A summons from the government.
(d) A travel permit.

7. In what sport did Hyeonseo excel enough to represent her school in a tournament while living in Hyesan?
(a) Ice skating.
(b) Cricket.
(c) Long distance running.
(d) Taekwando.

8. What does hyeon mean in Korean?
(a) Smile.
(b) Good fortune.
(c) Wealth.
(d) Sunshine.

9. For North Korean citizens, joining the Young Pioneer Corps is compulsory in the years between what two ages?
(a) 6-12.
(b) 8-18.
(c) 9-14.
(d) 10-16.

10. How many broad categories exist within the caste system of songbun?
(a) Ten.
(b) Three.
(c) Two.
(d) Four.

11. In total, how many rooms did Hyeonseo's house near the river in Hyesan have?
(a) Six.
(b) Three.
(c) Five.
(d) Two.

12. What was the true cause of Hyeonseo's father's death?
(a) A fractured skull.
(b) A bruised spleen.
(c) Suicide.
(d) Influenza.

13. What level of the caste system is made up of 10-15% of the North Korean population?
(a) Elite.
(b) Kim family employees.
(c) Wavering.
(d) Royal.

14. What unconventional and technically illegal hairstyle did Hyeonseo wear while attending school in Hyesan?
(a) A perm.
(b) A mohawk.
(c) A fringe.
(d) A bob.

15. In what season did Hyeonseo and her family move to the riverfront house in Hyesan?
(a) Autumn.
(b) Winter.
(c) Summer.
(d) Spring.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does seo mean in Korean?

2. Attendance at what event is mandatory for children from the time they enter North Korean elementary school?

3. What is the rough translation of the North Korean ideological term juche?

4. At what age are North Koreans forced to join the Socialist Youth League?

5. On what instrument did Hyeonseo teach herself to play her favorite song?

(see the answer keys)

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