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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. How does Pocha describe the women of Loreto?

2. What is The Brothers of the Ark?

3. The Navy vessel that Pantoja and the Special Service are allowed to use was used for a mission in Colombia in what year?

4. How many new prostitutes are hired for the Special Service in Chapter 5?

5. How long does it take Pantoja, Caiguas and Rioalto to clean and organize their new work site?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does it take Pantoja and his crew a week to turn the Itaya depot into a suitable work space?

3. What is Dispatch Number One?

4. Describe the nightmare Pantoja has about the Special Services in Chapter 2.

5. Why does Pantoja sample strange drinks and concoctions?

6. Why are Pantoja's coworkers concerned about him spending time with a woman named Olga?

7. Why is Captain Pantoja being relocated in Chapter 1?

8. What is the success level of the Special Service's pilot mission?

9. Why are Sinforoso Caiguas and Palominos Rioalto chosen to assist Pantoja and his new operation?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Explore Pantoja's feelings about sex throughout the novel. How does he seem to feel about sex prior to the formation of the Special Service? How do his views change? What are some examples that show how his views change? What do you think is the significance of his changes views on sex? What is the author trying to say about Pantoja as a character? What might he be saying about sex?

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