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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. What do Kien and his platoon realize when they visit the South Vietnamese farm?

2. What was Kien planning before the air raid sirens were called?

3. What did one particular friend think was the worst thing that could happen to a soldier?

4. Why does Kien write in the post war period?

5. What does Phuong finally tell Kien about their future in the form of a note?

Short Essay Questions

1. What musical instrument did Phuong play as a child, which indicates to Kien that she is a troubled soul?

2. Why does Kien not kill the commandos responsible for the farmhouse massacre?

3. What happens to the train that Kien and Phuong eventually catch so that he can return to his unit?

4. Describe Kien's parents

5. What happens to Phuong on that train?

6. Why is Kien taunted by the other soldiers in the abandoned school?

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

8. Why was it lucky that Phuong and Kien missed the train just as war started?

9. What is the significance of the tram driver who takes Kien home from the cafe?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kien was never in love with the real Phuong. Is this statement true or false? Explain your answer with details from the text.

Essay Topic 2

The character of Kien is looking to be saved from his war trauma. In what different ways does Kien look for this kind of salvation?

Essay Topic 3

This story told from the North Vietnamese side. Explore what this might imply about the author’s agenda.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 482 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample