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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 was the name of the kid Kovic often spent time in the summers?

2. How long does Kovic stay in the hospital?

3. Who is the first character mentioned?

4. What was Mr. Kovic's job?

5. How old is Kovic at this point?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Discuss Kovic's views on Communism and the space race.

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

5. What was a favorite childhood sport of Kovic's?

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

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

8. When is Kovic's birthday and what is its significance?

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

10. What is the first experience Kovic has when he awakens in the hospital?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss how Kovic must have felt arriving back in the United States after being in Vietnam. How would you have felt in the same situation? Which would feel stranger to you - arriving in the states or going home to your house? Explain. Also, write about how friends and family might treat you differently after you returned home from war. What kind of treatment would one expect? Would it be different depending on amount or extent of wounds? Would it be different if the wounds were physical or mental?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss how the media has changed drastically regarding wars and protests since Kovic's first foray into the limelight. Do you think media coverage today is more or less accurate than it was in the 1970s? Do you think there is more or less coverage? Is coverage more or less biased?

Essay Topic 3

What is The Medal for Conspicuous Service to the State of New York? Why was it awarded to Kovic? Who awarded the medal? Is there any special significance to the award? If so, what? Explain how Kovic felt about the medal and what he did with it after it was awarded. Would it be a symbol of pride or a reminder of the death and destruction?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 611 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample