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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 Goodrich plan to do when he gets into the Marines?

2. Why does Sadler decide to dismantle the old bomb buried in the dirt?

3. What is the plan Senator devises to make him sick enough to go for treatment to the Battalion Aid Station?

4. What is Cannonball's reaction to Homicide's comments about fighting a white man's war?

5. How is Big Mac killed?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Senator's college friends find ways to avoid the draft?

2. What is Goodrich's reaction as the platoon walks through Go Noi Island?

3. What unreasonable expectations does Angus Austin expect from the men?

4. What does Speed suggest to Senator when Senator asks where he should go to resign from the Marines?

5. How does Gilliland reach Pismo Beach to meet his wife after being discharged from the Marines?

6. Describe the circumstances when Cat Man arrives in America from Mexico?

7. What kind of childhood did Phony experience?

8. What does Major Otto tell Hodges about the bush?

9. What is the Black Shack used for?

10. What becomes of Baby Cakes, Ogre, and the engineer as they dig out an abandoned bomb?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Evaluate the relationship between Hodges and Mitsuko.

2) Are they a good match? Explain.

3) How do they interact with one another?

4) What are the qualities of their relationship?

5) Cite examples from the story proving their acceptance of one another and their role in the war.

Essay Topic 2

1) Interpret examples of human weakness and heroism depicted in the novel.

2) Cite examples of how each is valid with regard to the fear and danger each character encounters.

3) How realistic is Webb in his descriptions of these human qualities?

Essay Topic 3

1) Discuss how Goodrich grows as a character from the beginning of the novel to the end.

2) How do his attitudes change toward the Vietnam War?

3) How does his attitude about his classmates change?

4) What are the differences in his attitude toward war protesters from the beginning to the end of the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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