Red Storm Rising Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapters 1 through 8

1. What are some reasons that the destruction of the oil refinery in Nizhnevartovsk so significant to the Russians?

2. An AP news correspondent in Moscow does not reveal the true cause of the oil refinery fire. What does he say happened, and how does he report the fire was extinguished?

3. Why does the Politburo decide to go to war for oil?

4. Why does the Russian Foreign Minister place so much emphasis on his proposal for arms reduction?

5. Who is Robert Toland?