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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What colour does Kien's father use to paint with as he gets more depressed?
(a) Blue
(b) Red
(c) Yellow
(d) Green

2. Who is Kien's first 'kill' of the War?
(a) The Sailor on the Train
(b) North Vietnamese commando
(c) American soldier
(d) South Vietnamese civilian

3. Who else frequents the Balcony Cafe?
(a) Musicians
(b) Dancers
(c) Americans
(d) Other ex-soldiers

4. What does Kien discover about his fathers painting when he goes to warn him?
(a) That he was rich
(b) That he burnt them all
(c) That he sold them
(d) That he faked them

5. Why does Kien write in the post war period?
(a) It’s Phuong’s wish
(b) It’s the only job he can get
(c) To exorcise his feelings
(d) To become famous

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was Toan?

2. Where does Kien go in Part Five to reminisce about the War?

3. What 'peaceful' memory of the war does Kien think about in this Part?

4. What is the difference between the writing Kien performs during the day and that which he writes at night?

5. What do Kien's neighbors feel about Kien?

Short Essay Questions

1. At what bar does Kien meet the young prostitute and other ex-soldiers from the war?

2. What do the characters of Tu and Cam have in common?

3. What is symbolic about the farm that Kien and his comrades visit?

4. Describe Kien's parents

5. What was Phuong forced to become?

6. Why does Kien almost kill himself?

7. Where do Kien and Phuong go to escape when they hear about the war?

8. Why does Phuong want Kien to be more like his father?

9. Why is Kien ridiculed by his fellows in the post war period?

10. Why does Kien kill the Sailor on the Train?

(see the answer keys)

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