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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. There are eight thousand American troops facing how many NVA troops?

2. What type of transport is the young marine awaiting?

3. Why does the young marine not show any mirth in his smile?

4. What are the four geographical areas of Vietnam?

5. What do the soldiers trade for the marijuana?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Herr's drug use and why the soldiers try to avoid their dreams.

2. Describe Herr's first encounter with the Marines and how that affects Herr.

3. What timeframe is Herr writing during? Is there any significance to the fact that he is writing at this time?

4. Discuss Page's wound and his recovery.

5. What is the result of the siege at Khe Sanh?

6. How do the soldiers feel about the war?

7. Discuss the meaning of Major Trong's statement that he is emperor now.

8. Describe the effects of fatigue on the soldiers.

9. How does the presence of the correspondents lend importance to missions and also detract from the importance of the soldiers job?

10. What are the two realities of Vietnam and how do they differ?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the various reactions of soldiers and correspondents to the mountains of death they encounter each day. Why do some soldiers react with arousal while others are repulsed? How do the soldiers learn to cope with what they are ordered to do and what happens to them? How do students suppose that the soldiers overcome what they witness or perform during the war? Discuss the increase instances of post-traumatic stress disorder and how the American people reacted to veterans with flashbacks?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the difficulty Herr and the other correspondents face during get togethers. Why is it difficult for them to act relaxed and talk normally? Why does Herr feel longing and emptiness during their meetings?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Herr's statement that Saigon looks beautiful from the air but up close is really a crime ridden trash heap. How does this statement apply to the entire Vietnam War?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,202 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample