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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 comes by belatedly as Caputo watches?

2. What happens to a large number of the platoon down in a paddy?

3. What warning does Caputo receive after the destruction at Ha Na?

4. After Caputo's dream, what vision does he have in the daylight?

5. How does Caputo classify Gen. Westmoreland?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the contradictions Caputo itemizes about the war?

2. Coming across a clearing, how does Caputo manage to get to the other side?

3. Describe the Marines in Caputo's dream platoon.

4. What effect does Colonel Nickerson have on the morale of the Marines?

5. Under assault conditions, what is the assistant adjutant's responsibility?

6. How does the platoon snap and go on a rampage/

7. Why is the old Vietnamese man lucky the night of the interrogation?

8. What becomes Caputo's chief responsibility and how does he begin to see himself?

9. Why are the VC attacking with small arms each night for several days?

10. Why does Caputo volunteer for the line?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Now that you have read about the experiences of the Marines in Vietnam, write a paper about how difficult it probably was for most of them to step back into civil society at home. Perhaps you have known of someone coming back from a war who had a problem readjusting. Give your opinion about the responsibility of the people who send young men to war in helping to rehabilitate them after they return.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on the need of many men to prove their manhood. Express your opinion as to why this is something Caputo mentions several times in the book. Besides war, what are ways some men choose to prove to themselves that they are real men? Express your opinion as to whether such behavior is necessary.

Essay Topic 3

Caputo discusses the deterioration of morals as the war goes on. Write your opinion about how extremely adverse situations may affect human morality. Give examples from the book of behavior in Vietnam that would not even be considered in main street USA.

(see the answer keys)

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