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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 does Banning give Pickering that is worse than Pickering thought it would be when they look at film footage together?

2. Who wants Macklin assigned to his staff?

3. Who describes a report of Japanese ships off the Santa Cruz Islands and an all out attack on Guadalcanal?

4. Who used to be a Hollywood press agent before becoming a photojournalist?

5. When Banning's plane lands in San Francisco, who is he met by?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Pickering bring up when he meets with MacArthur that arouses anger in the General?

2. When Pickering has his staff analyze the MAGIC intelligence, what does he learn about the Japanese and what they can do or not?

3. Why are Dillon and McCoy rude to the officer at the Personnel Office?

4. Who were the Coastwatechers and why are they important to American security at Guadalcanal?

5. Why does Dillon pull Easterbrook into the plane as he was leaving Guadalcanal?

6. Why does Banning warn Pickering about Ellen?

7. Who is Easterbrook and what is his initial assignment on the Solomon Islands?

8. Why does Pickering think that MacArthur is the biggest violator security protocol?

9. Why is Wilson elated with Stewart's idea for Macklin's new position?

10. What is Dillon in charge of that inspires awe from the Marines?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Love and sexuality between different characters is a recurring theme in "Close Combat". How does Jake's feelings about love change from the beginning of the novel to its end? In what ways has he expanded his awareness and beliefs? Is sexuality connected to love for Jake? How does his feelings develop for Veronica and change and how does his relationship with her contrast with that of other women that he has had romantic feelings for or an idealized relationship with?

Essay Topic 2

Pickering and Pick are two of the most active characters in the decision-making process for the military and espionage events that unfold in "Close Combat".

Part 1) What is their relationship? How do they co-exist and how do they interact? What is similar about them and what is different?

Part 2) What are some events that Pickering had a direct influence upon? What are some events that Pick had a direct influence upon?

Part 3) Which character offers support to the group? Which one is stronger and why?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the concept of loneliness as it exhibits in "Close Combat". Which of the characters are lonely? Are they all lonely in some way? Explain the loneliness and the methods and attempts to overcome it.

(see the answer keys)

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