View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. A bystander tells Hyeonseo's mother that the near-death experience is a good omen, for someone who survives a disaster at such a young age is sure to what?
(a) Marry well.
(b) Have a long life.
(c) Rise to great prominence.
(d) Be happy all her days.

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

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

4. When Hyeonseo and her family move back to Hyesan, they find that the city has changed in what way?
(a) Half of the population has been relocated.
(b) Business is booming more than ever.
(c) It is choked with industrial waste.
(d) It has become dilapidated.

5. What aspect of Hyeonseo's mother's character does Hyeonseo say is unusual for a woman of high songbun?
(a) Her entrepreneurial spirit.
(b) Her frequent gambling.
(c) Her love for fashion.
(d) Her kindness to citizens with low songbun.

6. During what activity does the author say is the only time she and her classmates called each other "comrade" (33)?
(a) Morning prayers.
(b) Air raids.
(c) Self-criticism sessions.
(d) Meals.

7. Only members of which class are allowed to live in Pyongyang?
(a) Loyal.
(b) Hostile.
(c) Elite.
(d) Wavering.

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

9. What red article of clothing did Hyeonseo wear to school that caused the teacher to call her a capitalist and to slap her face?
(a) Suspenders.
(b) A scarf.
(c) Boots.
(d) A hat.

10. What border was Hyeonseo's father crossing when he was arrested?
(a) He was crossing from China into North Korea.
(b) He was crossing from South Korea into North Korea.
(c) He was crossing from China into South Korea.
(d) He was crossing from North Korea into China.

11. What did Hyeonseo's mother do immediately upon seeing her husband in the Hyesan hospital?
(a) She screams.
(b) She faints.
(c) She hugs him.
(d) She sobs.

12. Who are the bowibu?
(a) Secret police in North Korea.
(b) Secret police in Laos.
(c) Secret police in North Korea.
(d) Secret police in South Korea.

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

14. Hyeonseo remarks that the family's home by the river in Hyesan was perfect for what?
(a) Her mother's illicit enterprises.
(b) Learning to sail.
(c) Learning to ice skate.
(d) Her own gardening hobby.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. About what malady is Hyeonseo speaking when she says that her father displayed signs of "an illness that is not acknowledged in North Korea" (67)?

2. What quality of Hyesan does Hyeonseo say leads to its status as a moneymaking town?

3. At what age does Hyeonseo first visit South Korea?

4. For North Korean citizens, joining the Young Pioneer Corps is compulsory in the years between what two ages?

5. What did Hyeonseo do when she saw the starving infant and its mother in the market outside Wiyeon Station?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 569 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample