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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. Who has problems with their telephone in Chapter 1?

2. What crimes are soldiers committing in the Amazon jungle?

3. What is Pantoja told not to wear while living in his new town?

4. What relative does Pocha write a letter to in Chapter 3?

5. How does Pocha describe the women of Loreto?

Short Essay Questions

1. What preliminary instructions is Pantoja given before leaving for Iquitos?

2. Why does Pantoja begin receiving complaints from military posts?

3. What is Dispatch Number 2?

4. What is Dispatch Number One?

5. What have Poncio and his devotees been working on?

6. Why does Pochita think Pantoja is up to no good after their first night in Iquitos?

7. What does the dispatch from Rear Admiral Carrillo, Chief of the River Forces of the Amazon to Captain Pantoja's superiors say?

8. What signs of growth in the Special Service are shown in Chapter 5?

9. What do Pocha and Alicia spend their time doing?

10. What problems does Pocha tell Chichi she is having with Pantoja?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the use of names in the book. Consider the names Vargas Llosa gives his characters. Which ones stand out to you the most? Why? Why do you think the author gives his characters such colorful names? What sort of tone do these interesting names add to the book?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the "The Hymn of the Special Service"? Why do you think Pantoja provides the lyrics to his superiors? How does he feel about the song? What is the significance of his feelings about the song? Thinking about the lyrics, how do the prostitutes seem to feel about their jobs? Why do you think the author shows the reader the prostitutes' take on their jobs?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the character Sinchi and his role in the novel. How does he relate to other characters? What narrative function does he serve? What is the significance of his hypocrisy and his manipulative personality? What does the author seem to be saying through his character?

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