View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens right under their noses as they settle into Danang?

2. What do Caputo and his men discover as they pursue the wounded VC?

3. How do the Marines return to base camp?

4. What does he imagine being in the military will be like?

5. How long do Caputo and his platoon continue guarding the parameters at Danang?

Short Essay Questions

1. Sitting in the outpost ahead of C Company, what does Caputo have difficulty remembering?

2. Explain why Caputo says that at age twenty-four he is more prepared for death than he is for life.

3. Describe the French Fort overlooking the paddies west of Hill 327.

4. Why do the men continually have to be reminded to keep five paces between them and the next man?

5. What is the first month like after the battalion reaches Vietnam?

6. How does Caputo describe the way a soldier fighting in the jungle should act?

7. What does Caputo sense at his old base camp when he goes to collect his belongings?

8. What does the hospital corpsman tell Parker about his friend, Esposito?

9. After a group of VC disappears once again, what does Caputo want to believe?

10. Describe the platoon sergeant, William Campbell.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Caputo discusses the deterioration of morals as the war goes on. Write your opinion about how extremely adverse situations may affect human morality. Give examples from the book of behavior in Vietnam that would not even be considered in main street USA.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on the need of many men to prove their manhood. Express your opinion as to why this is something Caputo mentions several times in the book. Besides war, what are ways some men choose to prove to themselves that they are real men? Express your opinion as to whether such behavior is necessary.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper about how something that is at first repulsive and horrible can become so common place that it is scarcely given any thought later on. Use Caputo's experience as the Officer In Charge of the Dead. Relate that to civilian activities such as undertakers, doctors and nurses, and other such professions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 698 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample