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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Caputo choose to enlist with the Marines?
(a) He thought the Marines had the best dress uniforms.
(b) He did not want to be on a ship or fly an airplane.
(c) It was the only branch of the service accepting volunteers at the time.
(d) It promises to fulfill all his expectations more than any other branch of the service.

2. What are the two problems Caputo says are the worst while they guard the landing field?
(a) The mosquitos and the pythons
(b) The heat and boredom
(c) The rain and bad food
(d) The long days and short nights

3. What looks beautiful from the hill but becomes ominous up close?
(a) The vietnamese villages
(b) The Cordellia
(c) The muddy colored river
(d) The orange smoke of artillery

4. What position does Battalion Headquarters take on identifying a Viet Cong?
(a) If the acts suspiciously, he is a Viet Cong.
(b) If he attempts to hide, he is a Viet Cong.
(c) If he has a Russian made gun, he is a Viet Cong.
(d) If he is dead and Vietnamese, he is a Viet Cong.

5. Who are the only adults who pay attention to the Marines as they pass through Dogpatch?
(a) The whores called Boom-Boom girls
(b) The Vietnamese Ruff-Puffs on leave
(c) The local police
(d) The fruit venders

6. What is the majority opinion about the countermanded orders to ship out?
(a) That it is a preparedness test for the real thing.
(b) That the war in Vietnam is over before they can get there.
(c) That is because of political infighting.
(d) That some general has a loose screw.

7. What are some of the things Caputo learns in Marine training?
(a) Survival skills, Marine history, rules and regulations, weaponry, and how to kill.
(b) Physical exercize, recommended reading, and filing of paperwork.
(c) Use of new technology, making homemade weapons, and disarming women combatants.
(d) Military protocol, military dress, military jargon, and Marine Corps traditions.

8. What does Caputo say he learns later about the war in Vietnam?
(a) That there would be days when there is no fighting.
(b) That nine-tenths of the time is waiting for the other one-tenth to happen.
(c) That the Viet Cong ha plants in his platoon.
(d) That there is never enough time to relax.

9. What irony does Caputo see in the guerrilla warfare manual he had studied in the States?
(a) The suggestion that the enemy could not advance in the jungle.
(b) The remark that the jungle is only in Africa.
(c) The idea that the jungle is only trees.
(d) The statement that one should not be afraid of the jungle.

10. What event does Caputo recall that further dims the idea of glamor in war?
(a) The crash of a Marine helicopter
(b) A visit to the field hospital
(c) An outbreak of malaria
(d) Watching one of his men shot and killed by a sniper

11. Why do they get ready to move out to the war zone several times?
(a) There are several false alarms of going to war, but none pan out .
(b) It's a kind of war game they play.
(c) There is nothing better to do.
(d) They want to be sure they know what to do.

12. What does Caputo say about the VC guerrillas being everywhere?
(a) The VC know all the secrets of the jungles and tall grasses.
(b) It is another way of saying nowhere.
(c) They have to suppose that any Vietnamese is a VC.
(d) The Americans are always outnumbered.

13. What do they hear about right away?
(a) They hear that Saigon has fallen.
(b) They hear of death and paralysis for some soldiers.
(c) They hear that they will go to the front lines.
(d) They hear of a possible surrender of the Viet Cong.

14. What names does Caputo recall from his platoon?
(a) Men who either died or were severely wounded in combat
(b) Men who caused him the most grief
(c) Men who always followed his orders to the letter
(d) Men with whom he played poker and drank beer

15. Where does Caputo go after being shown his sleeping quarters?
(a) Back up the hill to retrieve his belongings.
(b) To the officers mess to get something to eat.
(c) Back to Danang for a 2-day liberty.
(d) To battalion HQ for a briefing.

Short Answer Questions

1. After graduation from Loyola College, where does Caputo go?

2. How does Caputo see future life in the military?

3. What does Caputo say is the second stage of soldiers in battle?

4. What is the concern when they follow another VC blood trail?

5. Where does Caputo go for advanced training?

(see the answer keys)

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