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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 does Caputo say he learns later about the war in Vietnam?

2. Why throw a grenade instead of firing a rifle in the dark?

3. What do the bar girls insist on before they will leave with a Marine?

4. What booby traps are observed on the trail after fording the river?

5. How does Caputo describe his feeling after learning about the death and casualties?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Explain what Caputo says is the worst thing about hiking in the jungle.

3. How does Caputo mention perception and locale when talking about troop size?

4. What is the news that makes Caputo sorry he is not there instead of being in Okinawa?

5. Early on the morning of his first assignment to go into combat, what fantasy goes through Caputo's head?

6. Describe the Communist stronghold that Caputo first sees in Vietnam.

7. What is it like going back toward Charlie Ridge?

8. Describe the Ruff-Puff's activity around the Beau Geste watchtowers.

9. Why does he say he fears being an unsat or a marginal?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discomfort is never pleasant. Using the book, write about some of the worst situations in terms of comfort and express your opinion about how well you would deal with them. Some examples you might use are the leeches, immersion foot, sleeping in several inches of water in a foxhole, trying to sleep with large artillery going off all night, having only C Rations to eat, etc.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the American withdrawal from Vietnam. It has gone down in history as the first war the Americans ever lost. Express your opinion in the paper about how the pullout affected the worldwide view of America as a Democracy.

Essay Topic 3

Do a creative writing piece in which you are a private or corporal in the military, sitting in a cane field at night, listening to the moans of fellow military men because the Medivac helicopters cannot get to you and the company medic has no morphine for the pain. Be sure to express your deepest feelings and frustrations.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 786 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample