Ishmael Beah's Journey and Experiences

Ishmael Beah shares his journey from Sierra Leone to New York City, detailing his experiences as a child soldier and his struggles to adapt to a new life. He recounts his challenges in getting an education and his interactions with peers who were unaware of his past. A paintball game with friends highlights the contrast between his real experiences of war and their perception of it. Beah reflects on the innocence of his friends and the impact of his past on his present life.

What did Ishmael Beah lose upon arriving in New York City?

• His luggage

• His plane ticket

• His wallet

• His passport

How did Ishmael Beah manage to get into the United Nations International School?

• By getting a recommendation from a teacher

• By passing an entrance exam

• By showing his report card

• By writing an essay titled 'Why I do not have a report card'

Why did Ishmael Beah feel different from his peers in high school?

• He had a unique past and perspective

• He was older than them

• He spoke a different language

• He had a different fashion sense

How did Ishmael Beah's friends perceive his English speaking style?

• As very casual

• As humorous

• As formal and unusual

• As difficult to understand

What did Ishmael Beah's friends in New York City believe about toughness?

• It was about being good at sports

• It was about physical strength

• It was about surviving in tough neighborhoods

• It was about having a lot of friends

What activity did Ishmael Beah and his friends do in upstate New York?

• Playing paintball

• Fishing

• Camping

• Hiking

How did Ishmael Beah's past experiences give him an advantage in the paintball game?

• He had tactical skills from his past

• He was more familiar with the terrain

• He had better equipment

• He was physically stronger

Why did Ishmael Beah choose to remain silent about his past with his friends?

• He was ashamed of it

• He wanted to protect them

• He was instructed to do so by his mother

• He feared they would see him differently

What did Ishmael Beah wish his friends understood about their lives?

• The need for financial independence

• The value of family and innocence

• The importance of education

• The significance of cultural heritage

What did Ishmael Beah realize about his friends' perception of violence?

• They glorified it without real experience

• They had experienced it firsthand

• They were afraid of it

• They were indifferent to it