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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was the boy that Kien had feelings for?

2. When does Kien start writing about the war?

3. On whose side were the American's fighting during the Vietnam War?

4. How did Kien get to know Lan during the war?

5. What Point of view is this chapter written in?

Short Essay Questions

1. How many years later is the current narrative?

2. What did Kien remember feeling before the onset of war?

3. How does Kien’s writing help him psychologically?

4. What side is Kien on during the War?

5. What job do we find Kien doing at the start of The Sorrow of War?

6. Who lives above Kien’ s apartment after the war?

7. What is the significance of where the Mute Girl lives?

8. During what years did the Vietnam War take place?

9. Who is Lan?

10. Where is Hanoi?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One theme of the novel is survivor guilt. Discuss how this theme is presented in the story.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the character of Kien in the story. What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Essay Topic 3

Was Kien an unwilling participant of the Vietnam War? Did Kien support the war?

(see the answer keys)

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