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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. Where does Richard get his parachute training?

2. UDT is an acronym for ____________________.

3. Who did Richard's unit rescue during the Tet Offensive?

4. PBR is an acronym for ______________________ unit.

5. What rank did the man in #42 hold?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Richard pleased with being sent to a location along the Bassac River?

2. What is the training mission Richard and his men are undertaking?

3. What is Richard's strategy for the training mission to rescue hostages?

4. What were some of the pranks Richard pulled during his basic training days?

5. Describe Richard's initial experience in Vietnam as he trained his men.

6. What was Chau Doc and which military and CIA personnel did Richard's men encounter there?

7. Why did Richard and his family move to California in 1971?

8. Who was Chief Petty Officer Barrett and what influence did he have over Richard and his career choice?

9. What was Richard's unit able to accomplish during the VC Tet offensive with Westy's help?

10. Describe Richard's mission on Ilo-Ilo Island.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Richard used more than one iteration on the theme of loss. Identify at least two examples about loss in the book and then explain why the examples support the theme.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the role of men in the mid 20th century when Richard and his colleagues were coming of age. What precedents did they feel compelled to follow? What restrictions did they have? What freedoms did they have that 21st century men do not?

Essay Topic 3

Aggression seems to be almost an unnamed character in the book. How pervasive is the sense of fear? Why does it have such a prevalent place in Beth's life? Explain how an inanimate object or characteristic can be a character.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,038 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample