View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Sombo get mad when he sees Arn dragging his gun behind him due to its great weight?
(a) He says that dragging it on the ground could allow water to get into it and cause the gun to misfire when Arn needs it.
(b) He says if it knocks against the ground, it could accidentally go off and kill someone.
(c) He says that a lack of respect for one's gun shows a lack of respect for oneself.
(d) He says that the gun is Arn's life and that if he loses it, it's like giving the gun to his enemy.

2. The author uses the occasion of Arn's transition into the role of soldier to refer back to events at the start of the novel. What are those events and what triggers them in Arn's thoughts?
(a) He looks up into the sky and hears the rat-a-tat-tat of artillery, which makes him think of the sound his cheap vendor bell used to make as he sold from his cart.
(b) He feels a sense of power from being armed and likens it to the feeling he used to get from earning his own money and having the power to buy things other kids couldn't.
(c) He straps a gun and ammunition to his chest and it reminds him of playing soldiers with his little brother Munny, just as they did after the movie so long ago.
(d) He remembers a prayer and recites it out loud, causing him to think about the monk teacher whom he used to bribe so he could skip school to sell his wares.

3. What sets Arn apart from the rest of the group and causes his fame to grow by the day?
(a) He is more handsome than the other boys in the band.
(b) He is more obedient than the other boys, so the Khmer Rouge reward him by spreading the word about his talents.
(c) He never complains about the hours of practice he must endure to master the xylophone.
(d) He plays musical instruments, sings, and dances, all while smiling.

4. Using the method of time measurement that Arn and the other captives must use, eight harvests means he's been held captive for how long?
(a) 2 1/2 years.
(b) 3 years.
(c) 1 1/2 years.
(d) 5 years.

5. Once Sombo's group dwindles to a number of only seven kids, plus Sombo and Koong, they become so tired that they drop most of what they have been carrying. What are the two things they continue to carry?
(a) Water and food.
(b) Guns and bullets.
(c) Extra socks and underwear.
(d) Cooking pots and kindling.

6. Arn says there are many things to be afraid of at night, and now he has one more thing to be afraid of after they have shot everyone in the village below. What is that thing?
(a) Sombo since he now comes in the night to tell Arn disturbing stories of his childhood.
(b) The fire going out because of the danger of villagers who may have escaped coming to kill them for revenge.
(c) That he'll be left on his own since now sometimes the group moves in the nighttime and he has come close to being left behind.
(d) Sleep since it is now filled with nightmares.

7. Mr. Pond's question to Arn about which two boys are his favorite elicits a response naming Sojeat and Ravi, even though Arn admits to the reader that his actual favorite boy is Runty. Why does he not list Runty among the names he tells Mr. Pond?
(a) Because earlier that day Runty told Missus Gotobed that Arn had said a bad word.
(b) Because Arn suspects they are going to do something dangerous and he does not want Runty to get hurt.
(c) Because Runty does not like Mr. Pond.
(d) Because Runty is scared all the time and is not good at volleyball.

8. When Arn has a touching moment with the baby monkey but then snaps its neck and wonders why he has done this terrible thing, what conclusion does he come to?
(a) He realizes that he did it because he was hugging the monkey so hard that he didn't realize he was throttling it.
(b) He realizes that he did it because he saw the monkey having a good time with its family and he was jealous.
(c) He realizes that he did it because he has to think about surviving every minute of every day.
(d) He realizes that he did it because he hasn't killed anyone in a long time and has a thirst for killing.

9. Just before the radio's batteries die, what do they hear the voice of Angka saying in the news report?
(a) That children are no longer allowed to act as soldiers for the cause.
(b) That victory is near and that the Cambodian army will soon conquer Vietnam.
(c) That Vietnamese soldiers are no longer to be shot at since they have joined forces with the Khmer Rouge.
(d) That all Khmer Rouge soldiers are ordered to flee to Thailand if they can.

10. One time when Sombo's group passes another platoon in the woods, he recognizes that platoon's rice girl. Who is it?
(a) His little sister Sophea.
(b) His older sister Chantou.
(c) His older sister Maly.
(d) His older sister Jorami.

11. The group of child soldiers led by Sombo and referred to as Little Fish with the Big Sting is comprised of how many children?
(a) 80.
(b) 10.
(c) 20.
(d) 40.

12. Why does Sombo leave Arn and the other boys to fend for themselves?
(a) He leaves because he is fed up with taking care of so many boys.
(b) He leaves because Koong is sick with a fever and he wants to take him to a Thai hospital.
(c) He leaves because he is mad at Arn for Arn's reaction after he murders the villagers.
(d) He leaves because he knows that if there is one fewer mouth to feed, the boys will be more likely to survive.

13. As soon as Arn realizes he can see Thailand on the other side of the river, something about it frightens him and makes him want to stop and not go on. What is it about Thailand that frightens him?
(a) He worries that because he is unable to speak Thai, someone will mistake him for their enemy and he will be killed.
(b) It appears to be a vast stretch of wide open land with nowhere for him to hide.
(c) He sees huge storm clouds gathering in the distance and is afraid Thailand is about to be hit by a monsoon.
(d) He sees many fires and does not know whether they have been set by soldiers or if they are being used by villagers to cook.

14. When Mr. Pond gives Arn new clothes, Arn gives his old clothes to Mr. Pond. Mr. Pond then breaks down in tears. Why does he cry?
(a) Because the clothes are three sizes too small for Arn.
(b) Because the clothes are stiff with blood and dirt and the smell of death.
(c) Because the clothes are the black uniform Mr. Pond knows is worn by the Khmer Rouge.
(d) Because the clothes are full of holes.

15. Arn hallucinates, seeing a rabbit as large as he is and this illusion seems to lead the way to Thailand. What color is the rabbit he hallucinates?
(a) Orange.
(b) Brown.
(c) Black.
(d) White.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Mr. Pond end up taking Sojeat, Ravi, and Arn when he asks them to climb in the trunk of his car?

2. Arn hears a voice coming through a bullhorn, telling the refugees that it's okay to come out and he waits for what he thinks is a trick to end in gunfire and moaning. Instead, he hears a different sound. What is it?

3. What does the hospital look like where Arn arrives when he gets off the bus?

4. When Arn becomes delirious with hunger, he sees the monkey family and then his own family and they chant words to him over and over. What are those words he hears them chant?

5. What happens the first time Arn and and another Little Fish go to drop grenades into the tanks of the Vietnamese soldiers?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,484 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample