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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 Lemmon say they are trying to do while the Howies are strafing the area?

2. What looks beautiful from the hill but becomes ominous up close?

3. Where does Caputo go for advanced training?

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

5. How is pursuit defined in the jungle of Vietnam?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is it like for Caputo as they march back through Giao-Tri?

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

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

6. How does Caputo describe himself as he watches the action of the offensive from the hill?

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

8. How do Caputo and his 40-odd men get transported to the war zone?

9. What mistake happens when they fire a three-point-five at the sniper who got Sullivan?

10. When does Caputo have his first realization of someone trying to kill him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Now that you have read about the experiences of the Marines in Vietnam, write a paper about how difficult it probably was for most of them to step back into civil society at home. Perhaps you have known of someone coming back from a war who had a problem readjusting. Give your opinion about the responsibility of the people who send young men to war in helping to rehabilitate them after they return.

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

Write a paper on the idealism of the young and inexperienced. Use Caputo and his platoon leaving Okinawa convinced they could end the war in a matter of days and the new arrivals of Battalion one-three as your examples. If possible relate that to some time in your life when you thought something might be a simple matter to solve even when more experienced people were telling you it was more difficult than you thought.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 711 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample