View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who cared for Andrew as a young boy when his parents left town for business?

2. What had the prison in which Andrew's father was held been transformed into after his release?

3. What food item does Andrew remember eating during the fall of Saigon?

4. How did Andrew's family say goodbye to him when he left home to start his new cycling adventure?

5. What holiday was the first "American" holiday celebrated by the Pham family in America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What uncomfortable event transpired between Andrew and Viet at Turtle Fountain?

2. In what way did violence enter the Pham family after they moved to America?

3. What personal history did Hung have with America?

4. Who was Ronnie?

5. What type of relationship did Andrew's Grandmother have with his sister, Chi?

6. What horrific experiences did Andrew's father live through while imprisoned in the torture camp?

7. What does Andrew remember most acutely about his Grandfather Pham?

8. What major events did Andrew struggle through once he reached Japan?

9. What conflicts did Andrew face in American school after immigrating from Vietnam?

10. What event frightened Andrew at the diner in Ham Tan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the memoir, Andrew offers many different symbols to bring meaning to the people of Vietnam and their experiences, including the famous ruins and the gape fish. Choose one of these symbols - or another that you deem fit - and explain the symbol here. Where did Andrew first encounter this symbol? What understanding did Andrew believe the message brought to him about the Vietnamese people? Do you agree with Andrew's assessment? Why or why not? Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 2

When Andrew arrives in Vietnam as an adult, he is overwhelmed by the extreme expectations his Vietnamese family members have about him as a Vietnamese-American. First, describe the expectations Andrew's family has about him when he arrives in Vietnam, and explain how these expectations were shaped. Then, describe Andrew's emotional reaction to these expectations and how he dealt with the emotions during his stay in Vietnam. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the memoir, it becomes clear that Andrew experiences an extreme rift between himself and his parents. First, describe Andrew's relationship with his parents at the opening of the memoir. What does Andrew describe as "the gulf" between them? Then, describe the expectations Andrew's parents have for him as he reaches adulthood. Why does Andrew feel unable to meet those goals? Finally, describe how Andrew's experiences in Vietnam alter his relationship with his parents - for better or for worse. Be sure to include examples from the text to help strengthen your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,137 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample