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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 happened after the war that caused ten times more people to die?

2. How many people were estimated to be killed in the war?

3. What kind of structure are the Chestnuts assigned to live in when they arrive at the refugee camp?

4. How much money does the Chestnut family receive from the War Office for Martina's death?

5. When Sarat and Marcus swim across the water to the rebel camp, what do they find stored in crates?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the pet turtle, Cherylene Cee?

2. What does Martina do to earn money at the refugee camp?

3. Explain why Martina wants Simon to join the Free Southerners and not the rebels.

4. What do Sarat and Marcus discover on the riverbanks of the rebel camp, and how does it frighten them?

5. What story about her life does Martina tell one of the women at the camp when she is drunk?

6. Why do the Chestnuts want to go North?

7. What did Albert Gaines' father mean when he told his son to go into "blood work"?

8. Who was Gerry Tusk and how does he relate to the story?

9. Discuss why Sarat's father is going to the government office.

10. What does Marcus Exum's dad say about the refugee camp?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the background of the author of American War. Give three ways that his background affected his writing style and his story-telling ability.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the characters of Sarat and Dana.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the significance and symbolism of the name Cherylene Cee and how it affects several generations of Chestnuts.

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This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample