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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. One of Hang's roommates accuses the others of stealing what object?

2. What happens after Chinh accuses Que of hurting his image and reputation?

3. Where did Tam live once she was evicted?

4. Who led the accusations against Ton's mother and sister Tam?

5. The job is with what company (name)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Que leave the village?

2. What does Chinh think of Que's occupation?

3. How does Hang feel about the telegram?

4. What happened to Aunt Tam during land reform?

5. Why does Ton flee the village?

6. Why does Uncle Chinh find Que a job at the Red River Food Factory?

7. What does their neighbor Vi say about Chinh?

8. How does Hang feel about returning to the village with her mother?

9. Describe Ton and Que's meeting.

10. What is the significance of the song Hang's roommate plays on the record player?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hang struggles during her childhood with her identity as a fatherless child. When Que finally tells her the story of Ton, Hang is reassured by the fact that she was conceived in love. How does this knowledge change Hang's outlook? Why do you think that information is capable of affecting Hang so profoundly? Why is it so important to Hang?

Essay Topic 2

Hang says Que and Aunt Tam were both stuck in the past. In what ways are they the same? Do their different ways of coping result in different outcomes? Is there a good way to be stuck in the past?

Essay Topic 3

At the start of the book, Hang goes to visit her sick uncle, even when she is not feeling well herself, because of a strong sense of familial obligation. At the end of the book, Hang decides to sell her Aunt Tam's house and leave behind "crimes of the past" and an unhappy legacy. Does her decision to sell the house contradict her sense of familial obligation? Has Hang changed over the course of the book? In what ways? Cite specific examples.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 694 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample