Unusual Normality Test

(Part A)
What is the main purpose of Ishmael Beah’s essay?

• To describe his journey from Sierra Leone to New York

• To emphasize the importance of perseverance in difficult situations

• To highlight the challenges refugees face when adjusting to a new life

• To share memories of his friends and experiences in America

(Part B)
Which sentence best supports the answer to Part A?

• “It was a moment that marked the start of a new life, one where normality seemed within reach.”

• “For three years, survival consumed my life.”

• “Coming to the United States offered a chance to start over, but it also exposed me to a kind of normality that felt foreign, almost impossible.”

• “I stayed silent about my past, fearing it would shatter their perception of me.”

What does the word “monumental” most likely mean as used in the sentence:

“It was such a simple act—buying clothes—but it felt monumental to me”?

• Unimportant

• Life-changing and significant

• Unimportant

• Overwhelming

(Part A)
How does Beah’s silence affect his interactions with others?

• It creates barriers between him and his friends.

• It allows him to feel a sense of normalcy.

• It makes others pity him.

• It leads to misunderstandings about his past.

(Part B)
Which sentence best supports the answer to Part A?

• “My silence wasn’t just about protecting myself—it was about preserving the fragile normality I was beginning to experience.”

• “Instead, I was silent, allowing them to see me as ‘unusual’ rather than ‘weird.’”

• “I told them I’d been a hunter in my village, offering a less jarring explanation.”

• “At school, I struggled to fit in.”

What is a central theme of the passage?

• War is a universal experience.

• Identity is shaped by one’s environment.

• Friendships can overcome any obstacle.

• Innocence is a profound gift.

What does Beah’s experience with paintball reveal about him?

• He enjoys playing games with friends.

• He is proud of his past as a soldier.

• His survival instincts remain strong.

• He struggles to connect with others.

(Part A)
How does Beah use humor to address difficult situations?

• To distract others from asking personal questions

• To cope with the skepticism he faces

• To create a stronger connection with his friends

• To explain his past in a lighthearted way

 (Part B)
Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• “Do they really expect someone fleeing war to carry report cards?”

• “My mother tirelessly called school principals, advocating for me.”

• “Finally, I wrote an essay titled ‘Why I Do Not Have a Report Card.’”

• “I laughed at the irony and met my adoptive mother.”

What does Beah mean when he says, “Their world, though foreign, allowed me to experience something close to the childhood I had been denied”?

• He envied their lives and wished for the same.

• He found joy in moments of simplicity and innocence.

• He felt disconnected from their way of life.

• He wanted to teach them the importance of survival.