WorksheetsUnusual Normality Test
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 15mins
(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.
What message does Beah convey about innocence?
Innocence is a luxury that is often taken for granted.
Innocence is irrelevant in times of war.
Innocence can be regained through perseverance.
Innocence is a weakness in dangerous situations.
(Select Two)
Which details demonstrate Beah’s ability to adapt to his environment?
“I instinctively scanned crowds, noted escape routes, and paid attention to people’s movements.”
“I softened my formal British-African English to sound more casual.”
“They offered to teach me survival skills, which I accepted with amusement.”
“I used my skills to silently outmaneuver them, hiding and striking with precision.”
“Watching them laugh and recount the day’s events, I felt a pang of longing.”
(Select Two)
Which sentences illustrate Beah’s perception of his friends’ lives?
“My new friends called themselves tough, boasting of navigating New York’s streets and winning fights.”
“They were fortunate to live with a naive innocence about the world, to only play pretend war and never face the real thing.”
“Their idea of violence was glorified and imaginary, a stark contrast to the reality I had lived.”
“Their laughter, their carefree discussions about trivial matters, and even their frustrations with their parents gave me a window into a world I could never fully inhabit.”
“I stayed silent about my past, fearing it would shatter their perception of me.”
What key point does Beah wish his friends had understood about him?
His past shaped his ability to dominate the paintball game.
His silence was a way of protecting them.
He wanted them to know how fortunate they were.
He wanted them to invite him to more games.
How does Beah’s story contribute to inspiring readers?
By showing how he overcame the challenges of war and adapted to a new life
By teaching readers survival techniques from his childhood
By encouraging readers to embrace their cultural identities
By highlighting the importance of family support
