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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. In what state does the narrator live?

2. With whom does the narrator share his favorite snack?

3. What does Lieutenant Cherry warn the men about not doing so the locals won't come after them with guns?

4. Where is the narrator's childhood summer camp located?

5. What was the narrator's army radar company?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Big Al during the contest and what does the narrator realize about Umbaugh's actions years later?

2. In what circumstances does the narrator find himself as the novel opens and how does he perceive his circumstances?

3. How were the boys initiated into camp life upon their arrival?

4. How does New Jersey symbolize American culture for the narrator?

5. What are the rules of the contest Umbaugh suggested?

6. What prompts the narrator to recall his college days?

7. How did the narrator prepare for camp and by what name will his group be called once they get there?

8. How did the fat Chipmunk earn the name of Skunk?

9. Describe the experience of Dan Baxter being punished for smoking cigarettes.

10. Who is Ernie and what happened to him during the narrator's story of KP duty?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Shepherd was a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony. Briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

There are several events of foreshadowing in the stories. Define foreshadowing. Cite at least two situations in the stories that serve as foreshadowing.

Essay Topic 3

Why did Shepherd choose to use the first person narrator perspective for the stories? What does this point of view entail? What do you know about the characters and the plot lines that you would not know from a different point of view? What do you NOT know about the characters and plot lines based on this point of view?

(see the answer keys)

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