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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 is Johnson's advice to Richie when they are discussing the war protesters?

2. Who is the highest ranking soldier among Richie's squad?

3. Which soldier is approached by Lt. Dongan asking if Lobel is a homosexual?

4. In the attempt to escape the Vietnamese troops, where is Richie shot?

5. What reason does Captain Stewart give to the soldiers as to why they will be going on a reconnaissance mission?

Short Essay Questions

1. What power struggle arises between Johnson and Stewart in the battlefield of the reclaimed hill?

2. What happens during the Lieutenant Gearhart's first reconnaissance mission in Vietnam?

3. Why do the rescue choppers open fire on the Vietnamese allies?

4. How does Richie explain the shooting of the Vietcong soldier to his brother, Kenny?

5. What conversation does Richie get into with Johnson about the war protesters?

6. How does Monaco escape the clutches of the Vietnamese soldiers?

7. In Kenny's letter to Richie about Johnny Robinson, what does he say?

8. Who is with Brew when he dies?

9. What happens when the allies bring in a Vietnamese mother and her two small children found wandering around the rice paddies?

10. What race relation issues come to light during the time of Vietnamese Tet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The idea of heroism is present alongside the romanticism of soldiers. Choose two soldiers in the novel and describe the vocalizations these soldiers raise about heroism. Then, compare/contrast those vocalizations to the actual reactions the soldier see when they are faced with moments of heroism.

Essay Topic 2

Richie's medical records float through the novel, appearing regularly to remind the reader how unorganized then military office is during the war. Briefly explain what the medical records meant to Richie, and how their inability to be locked down led the reader to see the chaos and uncertainty of war.

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the novel, many myths of what happens to a good, or strong, soldier are presented. Chose two military myths that were presented in the novel, and explain the ways that the reality of war in Richie's experience dispelled those myths.

(see the answer keys)

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