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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. Who is Commander Shaughnessey?

2. Why does Lewis' platoon look forward to patrolling the Tu Cau Bridge?

3. Where is Lewis' unit deployed when he first arrives in Vietnam?

4. Who is Paul Barents?

5. What news does Toddy give Lewis in Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Lewpy's birth affect Lewis?

2. How does the Tet offensive affect the Vietnam War?

3. What opinion does Chesty have about the Marine Corps' training methods?

4. Describe Dr. Cabot's treatment of Lewis.

5. What does Lewis prevent his men from doing to an enemy corpse in Chapter 3?

6. Why does Lewis wait a day before assuming command of his troops?

7. What does Lewis learn he must live up to at an early age?

8. What lessons does Lewis learn from his father as a young boy?

9. How does Lewis suffer as a young boy due to his father's fame and position?

10. What is Captain Thanh's view of Lewis's presence in Vietnam?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What expectations does Chesty have of Lewis? How does Chesty attempt to instill his values in his son? Does Lewis live up to his father's expectations?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Lewis's life before and after the war. How do Lewis's perceptions about politics, the military, the purpose of life and other personal philosophies change from his college years through the war? How do these perceptions change after his injury?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Lewis's battle to learn to walk again with the use of prosthetic legs. What challenges does he face due to his injuries? How does the ability to stand affect Lewis's perception of himself as a man? Why does Lewis decide to eventually forego prosthetics and remain confined to a wheelchair?

(see the answer keys)

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