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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 is the platoon at?

2. Who is the narrator talking about in Chapter 8, The Dentist?

3. After his first episode with the dentist, what did Curt Lemon do?

4. What does Dave Jensen borrow?

5. Norman Bowker's father only cares about what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Tim see Curt Lemon's personality?

2. What are Henry Dobbins' tentative plans for after the war?

3. Why do the men like checkers?

4. What was Martha's response to Jimmy's confession about wanting to hold her knee?

5. Why was Curt Lemon afraid of the dentist?

6. How are the terms of the death pact ultimately carried out?

7. How does Curt Lemon recover from his personal failure at the dentist?

8. How does Lee Strunk react to his injury?

9. Explain why you think Dave Jensen is so upset someone stole from him.

10. Why do you think Martha never married?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Things They Carried" tackles the theme of death in numerous ways. There are accountings of anticipated deaths, surprise deaths, and even brushes with near-death. Explore how the novel handles each type of death, and the overall message the book communicates about this universal theme. Be sure to cite specific textual evidence.

Essay Topic 2

Chronicle the beginning, growth, and ultimate end of the one of the following relationships: Curt Lemon/Rat Kiley; Dave Jensen/Lee Strunk. Be sure to explain how major and minor events affected the relationship, and how the surviving party handled the loss of a friend.

Essay Topic 3

The story of Kiowa's death is told from at least two different point of views. Using all textual evidence and your own assumptions, what do you think really happened? What was the role of Norman Bowker, Lieutenant Cross, and Tim O'Brien? Who is the most responsible for Kiowa's death?

(see the answer keys)

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