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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 is the lead actress in the movie that the soldiers watch over and over during their slow days?

2. Where did the men die that Peewee and Richie are sent to replace?

3. Who does Peewee talk to in a storage shed?

4. How many soldiers in Richie's platoon are promoted after the village ambush?

5. In what Japanese city does Richie's airplane have a layover?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Richie sees the body bags lined up at his base?

2. What is Richie's response to seeing his first dead enemy soldier?

3. Why does Peewee ask Richie to write a letter to Earlene on his behalf?

4. What news does Peewee receive from home in a letter from Earlene?

5. Why is Richie's troop reassigned from the pacification mission in the village?

6. Why does Richard Perry decide to join the army?

7. What reasons drew Richie into joining the army?

8. Before the troops see any action, what does Richie think about the fighting?

9. How does RIchie cope with the trauma that he witnesses while on patrol with the Charlie Company?

10. Why isn't Richie able to answer the question about his future goals when speaking to the Red Cross workers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout this novel, the theme of innocence is presented through the soldiers' naivety. Briefly describe one scene that highlights the innocence of one or more of the soldiers. Then describe the way that the novel functions as a testament to the loss of youth through war.

Essay Topic 2

All of the soldiers in Richie's squad have joined the army for very different reasons. Choose three soldiers from Richie's squad and briefly describe their reasons for joining the army. Then, explain how those motivations affected the soldier's performance in battle.

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, the reader sees Richie's view of family shift after he makes relationships with other soldiers in his squad.

Part 1) Describe Richie's relationship with his family back home before he enlists in the army.

Part 2) Describe the fantasies that Richie has about family while he is in Vietnam.

Part 3) Describe the way that Peewee, and other soldiers in the squad, fill in for blood family while Richie is away.

(see the answer keys)

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