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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. What Greek formation requires that the soldiers hold their bodies in a certain formation?

2. Who does the Persian ambassador attempt to lash as he becomes more and more frustrated?

3. Spartan infants who show any ____________ are generally left to die.

4. What happens when the Persian visitor first enters the camp of the Greeks?

5. Xerxes wants to raise an army to smash _________ as well.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Leonidas accept Ephialtes as a soldier in the Spartan army when he asks to be a part of the march?

2. What is the initial reaction to the Persian Ambassador when he comes into camp?

3. What happens when the Persian Ambassador decides to lash Dilios?

4. What does Leonidas do in order to restore the honor of Stelios before the other men?

5. What does the Persian Ambassador do, even after his significant injury?

6. What has happened to the missing Persian scouting group?

7. What is the advantage of fighting at the Hot Gates for the Spartans or for any army that uses this location?

8. After the initial assault of the Persians is defeated, what do the Persians do next to the Spartans?

9. Who is the Persian representative that come into camp as the Spartans begin to ready for a major battle?

10. What tale does Dilios tell as the Persian Ambassador visits the Spartan camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The strategy with which Leonidas fights the battle is impressive. He continues to shift strategies until he finds one that works for the situation.

Part 1: Which strategy was the most impressive to you as a reader? Why?

Part 2: Do you think Leonidas should have done anything different? What?

Part 3: Do you think the strategies might work in today's modern warfare battles? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The armies both want to intimidate the other army in order to get the upper hand in the battle.

Part 1: How much of a battle do you think is mental? How much is physical?

Part 2: Is it more important for any army to have mental toughness or physical toughness? Why?

Part 3: What does intimidation do to the opposing army who is being intimidated? What does the intimidation do for the army who is doing the intimidating?

Essay Topic 3

Though Leonidas and his army die at the hands of the Persians, all does not seem to be lost.

Part 1: Why does Leonidas go into a battle he knows he will lose?

Part 2: Why doesn't Leonidas' army desert him and run away from the Persian army?

Part 3: Why is the defeat of Leonidas such an inspiring story?

(see the answer keys)

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