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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What sort of merchant had poisoned the waters near Bo's boyhood home?
(a) A washerwoman.
(b) A cook.
(c) A fisherman.
(d) A fabric dyer.

2. A toddler-sized Bo is depicted as thinking, "YOU are not my papa" (115) after what event?
(a) His father beats Bo's mother severely.
(b) His father becomes a Communist.
(c) His father beats him severely.
(d) His father marries again.

3. Bui describes her family as fleeing from one country and starting over in another during what decade?
(a) The 1980s.
(b) The 1970s.
(c) The 1950s.
(d) The 1960s.

4. In what California city was the high school Bui helped to open?
(a) San Francisco.
(b) Los Angeles.
(c) Oakland.
(d) Sacramento.

5. How many young children are still in the home when Bo takes over most of the parenting?
(a) 4.
(b) 2.
(c) 6.
(d) 3.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what year does Thi move with her husband and son from New York City to a new place?

2. The city of Hai Phong is how far away from the border of China?

3. How old was Thi when her parents separated?

4. Bui states in the Preface that she helped to open what sort of high school?

5. What two words does Ma say when Bui announces that she and her boyfriend are going to live together?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what time and place does the opening scene of The Best We Could Do begin?

2. What is the strongest emotion Thi feels toward Bo toward the end of her adolescence?

3. What are the qualities of Thi's memories about her childhood home in San Diego?

4. What event causes a very young Bo to mentally disown his father?

5. Thi likens the way she feels at the sight of the surgical instruments to what scene from her childhood?

6. What question does Thi ask the doctor when she is in labor with her child?

7. What dangerous action does Bo take regularly throughout Thi's childhood?

8. What major change do Thi and Travis undertake in 2006 and why?

9. For what purpose does Bui begin Chapter 2: "Rewind, Reverse" in a particular place and then change to a different era on the very next page?

10. Explain the nature of the present-day relationship between Bo and Ma.

(see the answer keys)

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