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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. In Chapter 8, it is revealed that Pantoja has taken to interviewing new prostitutes by doing what?

2. Who tells Collazos that soldiers have been secretly joining the Brothers of the Ark?

3. What is the name of Pantoja's daughter?

4. Why do other officers envy Pantoja?

5. Where does Olga's funeral take place?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Olga's life prior to becoming a prostitute with the Special Service.

2. What happens at the end of Chapter 8 when news of the Special Service starts to spread?

3. Describe "The Hymn of the Special Service."

4. Why do Navy members become upset with Pantoja and his operation?

5. How do other officers feel about Pantoja, according to Mendoza?

6. How do the people in Pantoja's life react to him giving Olga's eulogy?

7. What happens to a couple that elopes in Chapter 6?

8. How do members of the Army feel about Brother Francisco?

9. What does a letter to Sinchi from disgruntled citizens say?

10. Why do Morey and several young men from Requena decide to kidnap prostitutes from the Special Service?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of Olga's murder to the rest of the novel? Why do you think Olga is killed off in the story? Are you surprised by her fate? Why or why not? How does her murder move the plot of the story along? Do you think it is significant that her murder is the result of a botched plan to kidnap and rape her? Why do you think Vargas Llosa chooses to kill her this way and not actually be purposefully be murdered by Moray and his men?

Essay Topic 2

What is the significance of the army's inability to keep the Secret Service a secret? When does it become clear that the mission is no longer being kept a tight secret? What seems to be the reason the secret gets out? Why do you think the army keeps adding more and more people to the circle of people who know about the mission? Why do you think they are not being more careful?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the author's use of written correspondences in the novel. Describe two instances where the author makes use of letters or memos. What purpose do they serve for the reader? Why do you think the author employs so many of them as opposed to writing in traditional narrative style?

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