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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 does Pantoja believe will be held responsible for the events surrounding the scandal of the Special Service?

2. Pantoja's assignment, after the Special Service is shut down, is near what lake?

3. Where are some SSFGRI personnel stranded because of weather?

4. A radio host tells his listeners about a famous landmark designed by a man from what country?

5. At the start of Chapter 8, how long has it been since Pantoja's wife left him?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is surprising about Olga's funeral?

4. What does Sinchi say about Pantoja on-air the first time he talks about him?

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

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

7. How does Maclovia behave during her radio interview with Sinchi?

8. Why does Pantoja put on his uniform in Chapter 10?

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

10. What happens when Chuchupe and Wong try to convince Pantoja to leave the military and go into business with them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the significance of the way Olga is portrayed through a series of newspaper articles? How is she depicted in these articles? Explore the contradictions around her portrayal? How has Olga been portrayed in the novel prior to the newspaper articles? Does your opinion of her change at all after reading this chapter? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Explore Pantoja's straight-laced nature at the start of the book. Describe two instances in which Pantoja shows himself to be straight-laced. Knowing Pantoja is prudish and does everything by the book, why does Army choose him to run their operation? Why does this prudish nature work both for and against him?

Essay Topic 3

Explore the author's use of comedy or humor in his novel. What instances of humor do you notice? Why do you think the author wrote his book with this tone in mind? Considering the subject matter, are you surprised by the lightheartedness of the novel as a whole?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 798 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample