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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 happens to a large number of the platoon down in a paddy?

2. During the summer, how is life for the Vietnamese peasants?

3. What is a consistent reminder of the casualties of war.

4. How does the paperwork in the adjutant's office appear to Caputo?

5. From where does the attrition in 1st Battalion come?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the contradictions Caputo itemizes about the war?

2. How does the platoon snap and go on a rampage/

3. Why is the old Vietnamese man lucky the night of the interrogation?

4. Why are the men of C Company pleased about the treats sent to them?

5. What is so frustrating to Caputo during the trial?

6. Describe the Marines in Caputo's dream platoon.

7. What is the ridiculous hold up in getting the evac helicopters to the platoon?

8. Why is the chaplain upset?

9. What effect does Colonel Nickerson have on the morale of the Marines?

10. Under assault conditions, what is the assistant adjutant's responsibility?

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 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.

Essay Topic 3

The charges against Caputo and his men would have gone completely unnoticed had the village not lodged a complaint. Write a paper in which you give your opinion about the role of political expediency in deciding when and against whom to prosecute. Discuss whether you think the event involving Le Dung was an isolated incident.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 795 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample