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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do they hear about right away?

2. How does Caputo describe the descent of a helicopter?

3. What is the aim of Caputo's first entry into combat?

4. Does Caputo believe the deployment is for real when he is told about it?

5. What names does Caputo recall from his platoon?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Caputo describe himself as he watches the action of the offensive from the hill?

2. Sitting in the outpost ahead of C Company, what does Caputo have difficulty remembering?

3. Explain what Caputo says is the worst thing about hiking in the jungle.

4. Describe the French Fort overlooking the paddies west of Hill 327.

5. How do Caputo and his 40-odd men get transported to the war zone?

6. What does Caputo sense at his old base camp when he goes to collect his belongings?

7. What is the first month like after the battalion reaches Vietnam?

8. What is the sound of 155mm artillery firing?

9. What is the advantage on Hill 268 where Caputo's company is poistioned?

10. How does Caputo mention perception and locale when talking about troop size?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper about how something that is at first repulsive and horrible can become so common place that it is scarcely given any thought later on. Use Caputo's experience as the Officer In Charge of the Dead. Relate that to civilian activities such as undertakers, doctors and nurses, and other such professions.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper about understanding different cultures. Use examples from the book to show that people of different cultures often do not understand each other. A good example is the old Vietnamese man trying to sell pornographic pictures to Caputo and his men. He, like so many Asians, had the idea that all Americans are addicted to sexual laxity and vulgarity. On the other hand, the Americans often could not understand the stoic nature of the Vietnamese who show little emotion regardless of circumstances.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper on the idealism of the young and inexperienced. Use Caputo and his platoon leaving Okinawa convinced they could end the war in a matter of days and the new arrivals of Battalion one-three as your examples. If possible relate that to some time in your life when you thought something might be a simple matter to solve even when more experienced people were telling you it was more difficult than you thought.

(see the answer keys)

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