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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. Kovic begins to:

2. Which game was commonly played by the boys at night?

3. What was the name of the staff member that performed the procedure?

4. In what year did Kovic join the marines?

5. What reaction does the character have to the situation at hand?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did the boys often play? What was their fantasy?

2. Describe the scene during which Kovic arrives at St. Albans.

3. What is the purpose of calling a priest to visit to Kovic?

4. What was going on around Kovic during the time?

5. What is one of the main things that cause the deep depression in Kovic?

6. Explain the opening scene in the book BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY by Ron Kovic.

7. Describe the scene in which Kovic discovers the rats.

8. What information does Kovic not share with his family?

9. How does Kovic refer to the other soldiers in the hospital?

10. What did Kovic do during the summer months? Who was often with him during that time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the life of an American soldier with soldiers from at least two other countries. Get photographs, if possible. Create two sets of comparisons - one using the modern military and one from World War I. Then compare the two time periods.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the relationship between Kovic and his parents, before during and after his military service. Did either side overreact or was each person as tolerant and understanding as possible? How did the parent/child relationship change as Kovic began to return to society as a regular citizen? What do you think their relationship might be like today?

How might you feel in a similar situation? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the impact of Kovic's birthday being on the Fourth of July. Do you think it is irony or destiny? How might being born on the Fourth of July affect your views on patriotism and war? Do you think a person born on the Fourth of July during wartime might differ from a person born on the same day during wartime? How would that birthday translate to other countries?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 585 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample