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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 sound would Hang's mother hear that made her cry at night?

2. Que reveals she used to work where?

3. Que's brother tells her he and his family are moving to _____.

4. Who does Hang meet on the train to Moscow?

5. Hang suggests selling her earrings to buy what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Hang's upbringing.

2. What realization does Ton have about the food vendor and his half-wit wife?

3. Describe the fate of Ton's sister and mother during this time.

4. Why does Que leave the village?

5. Why does a mob come to Que's house to attack her?

6. How is Ton received by the other villagers?

7. Explain the significance of Ton's birth sign in his escape.

8. How did Hang's mother react to misfortune?

9. Describe Que's life in the year following her mother's death.

10. Why is Hang disturbed by seeing an old street vendor with dirty feet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Ton has a new life and a new family, he is drawn back to the village and to Que. What does this say about Ton and Que's love for each other? What does it say about both of their moral characters?

Essay Topic 2

Hang makes a decision to not be like her mom and aunt - stuck in the past. Should one ignore the past when moving to the future? Can one succeed without remembering the past? Why role does your background play in your identity and is it something anyone can ever leave behind?

Essay Topic 3

Being a fatherless child brings Hang much anxiety and loneliness when she is young. Can the absence of a person have as much effect as the presence of one? Hang feels better after hearing the story of her father and how she was conceived in love. Why do you think this comforts Hang?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 720 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample