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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. Which men does Bull single out in his squad?

2. With whom does Bull meet after the ceremony in Chapter 12?

3. Where does Bull have breakfast every morning?

4. Where do Ben and Toomer go the Saturday after they meet?

5. Who is Toomer?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surprise does Bull have for his family when they reach Ravenel?

2. Why does Mary Anne believe neither she nor Ben will ever be writers?

3. Why does Bull refuse to discuss with Lillian his assignment to fly over Cuba?

4. Who is Toomer? Why does Ben believe his mother encouraged him to go fishing with Toomer?

5. Bull gives a speech to the officers in his new squad. What does Bull tell them?

6. What does Mary Anne throw at Bull?

7. What is the significance of the Marine Corps Hymn to Bull? To the Meecham children?

8. In Chapter 8, what does Lillian congratulate Bull for doing? Why?

9. What does Varney know about Bull that few others know?

10. How does Bull react when he loses the basketball game against Ben?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss setting. What is the setting of this novel? How does setting influence the plot of the novel? How does setting influence the characters? How would a different setting affect the characters of this novel? Would a different setting make a difference to any key characters? Which characters would be affected? Which characters would not be affected?

Essay Topic 2

How is Mary Anne treated differently in the family from Ben? How are expectations for Mary Anne different than for Ben? What does Bull expect Ben to do as an adult? What does Bull want for Mary Anne? Why are these expectations different? Is this sexism or is there some other explanation for these expectations?

Essay Topic 3

Why does Lillian never leave Bull? Does Lillian love Bull? Does Lillian condone Bull's behavior toward her and the children? Is Lillian an abused wife? List some examples of this abuse. Is Bull abusive toward the children? Why does Lillian not do more to protect her children? What does this say about Lillian's personality?

(see the answer keys)

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