The Book of Unknown Americans

Which statement best describes the narrator’s internal conflict in the story?

• The narrator is pressured by his family about feeling Panamanian and by his peers about not being American enough.

• The narrator implies feeling confused when his family appears proud to become American citizens at the courthouse.

• The narrator discusses feeling more American than Panamanian, yet his father gets angry when accused of being an American.

• The narrator states that he cannot remember anything about living in Panama like his brother who reminisces about his memories.

Which sentence from the selection best represents its main message?

• I was less than a year old when my parents brought my brother and me to the United States. (paragraph 1)

• I spent a lot of time trying to find it in me, but usually I couldn’t. I felt more American than anything, but even that was up for debate. . . . (paragraph 3)

• I let her, too, even though every time she did, instead of comforting me, it only made me more scared. (paragraph 24)

• That year around the holidays we were all miserable. Holidays were always bad. . . . (paragraph 26)

Which sentence from paragraphs 1 to 5 foreshadows that the family will not return to Panamá?

• They needed to believe they’d done the right thing and that it made sense.

• But while they waited for that day, they started making friends.

• Enrique was in school, and I started, too.

• And before they knew it, we had a life here.

How does paragraph 10 advance the plot?

• It foreshadows the terrorist attack of September 11.

• It demonstrates how hard life is for people in Panamá.

• It emphasizes the tension between the old and new cultures.

• It introduces the conflict between the narrator’s mother and father.

In what way does the book suggest that language barriers extend beyond just communication?

• They lead to better job opportunities

• They contribute to a deeper sense of isolation and misunderstanding

• They enhance cultural assimilation

• They have no significant impact beyond communication

What form of social discrimination do characters in the book face?

• Discrimination based on their educational background

• Discrimination based on their wealth

• Discrimination based on their country of origin

• Discrimination based on their age

How does the book portray the immigrant experience in terms of employment?

• Immigrants easily find high-paying jobs

• Immigrants are always unemployed

• Immigrants often take jobs that are below their qualifications

• Immigrants do not seek employment

How are language barriers depicted as affecting the characters' lives?

• They have no impact on the characters' lives

• They make it easier for characters to assimilate

• They create misunderstandings and isolation

• They are quickly overcome without effort

How do the characters in the book primarily deal with cultural assimilation challenges?

• By isolating themselves from their new community

• By trying to adopt new customs and language

• By returning to their home country

• By ignoring the differences and living as they did before

Which aspect of family dynamics is highlighted in the immigrant families of the book?

• The ease of adjusting to a new country

• The struggle to maintain traditional values

• The lack of challenges faced by second-generation immigrants

• The absence of conflict within immigrant families