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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. Where is McCoy taken to have his wounds checked out?

2. What do everyone who goes up with Pick in a plane think about his flying experience?

3. What does the man in question #65 ask Stecker?

4. What does Pick find out when he arrives at his motel?

5. What is an enlisted man who becomes an officer called in slang?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to McCoy after he met Ernie and what did she learn from that?

2. What does Ernie tell McCoy when they meet at the train station?

3. How does Zimmerman feel about his assignment and what knowledge does he have to help him with the assignment?

4. With whom does Pick and Stecker have lunch in Atlanta and what does she do? How did Pick feel about it?

5. What does Flight Instructor Minter do with Pick on his first flight and what does he find out after the flight is over?

6. What is wrong with Captain Banning when he is on the Pickerel and how does he feel about it? What does he plan to do?

7. How did Ernie meet McCoy?

8. Why does Carlson tell the recruits about McCoy and killing the Italians?

9. How does Ernie's mother feel about her's and Pick's best friend?

10. In Chapter IX, what does Colonel Harris ask Jack Stecker about Carlson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During the time he was in the Philippines, McCoy showed great courage and bravery by saving the lives of several of his fellow soldiers. Discuss the following:

1. What is courage? It is defined in the dictionary as: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. How is courage demonstrated? Given what you have seen of McCoy why would one call him courageous? Use examples from the book to support your answer.

2. Discuss two situations, one during war and one during peace in which a great deal of courage would be needed to endure the situations.

3. Discuss the two sides to the following: Courage can be learned. One is either born with courage or not.

Essay Topic 2

Most of the entire series of novels concerning McCoy takes place during the Second World War. Therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the second world war begins and ends.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the battles that take place on land between America and the Japanese in World War II.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British infantry during the second world war to the importance of the American infantry during either WWI.

4. Write an expository essay on how World War II affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, America, or Germany.

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Kenneth McCoy is no exception. His determination and survival powers might contrast to his feelings of inferiority about his family background. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze situations when McCoy demonstrates his determination. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze McCoy's character flaws offering specific examples of these flaws in your discussion.

3. Discuss how you think McCoy's admirable traits helped him obtain a high rank in the military despite his background as a child. Have his flaws impacted his career at all? Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

(see the answer keys)

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