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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 is the first line and the last line of Sarat's story?

2. To what city do Dana and Sarat go for a little entertainment after Sarat performs her kill?

3. What item listed below is NOT included in the shipments that arrived at the Chestnut home?

4. Who does Joe work for?

5. After the massacre at Camp Patience, where do the Chestnuts live?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the identity of Bud Baker and his relationship to Sarat.

2. Who is the informant that Sarat meets at Prince Wendel's neutral ground cafe?

3. How did the Chestnuts come to have such a fine estate?

4. Who is Karina Chowdury?

5. Why was Benjamin happy about the storm named Scott that caused damage in his locale?

6. When the Chestnut family goes to Market, what happens when Sarat tries to stab the Northern patrol soldier?

7. Where does Sarat opt to live when she is released from Sugarloaf to go back home?

8. Why does Sarat not kill Albert Gaines?

9. What is Sarat's reaction to the survival of her brother?

10. Explain the effect of Sarat's assassination of the General at Halfway Branch.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define the literary term epigraph. Explain why epigraphs are used and why El Akkad's choices of epigraphs are appropriate.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Sarat's character and its evolution throughout the novel. In discussing her character, give three ways that she was kind and three ways that she was vengeful.

Essay Topic 3

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

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