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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. Why does Cacciato like Sidney Martin?

2. Who eventually searches the VC tunnel in Chapter 34?

3. What clothing accessory does Paul Berlin recall vividly about a young,crying Vietnamese girl in Chapter 39?

4. In Chapter 45, what does Paul Berlin recall is the last word he ever said to Cacciato?

5. What does the girl in the van think must be the worst part of going to war?

Short Essay Questions

1. What shift in power does Lieutenant Corson acknowledge as he speaks to Paul Berlin in Chapter 43?

2. What does Buff's body look like when Cacciato finds it in Chapter 41?

3. What does Paul Berlin rationalize is the essential purpose of the Vietnam War at the end of Chapter 40?

4. How does Doc Peret get Third Squad out of trouble with Iranian authorities in Chapter 29?

5. How does Third Squad determine happens to Buff's big gun?

6. Describe Sarkin Aung Wan and Paul Berlin's debate in Chapter 44.

7. Describe Cacciato in Chapter 31.

8. What news does Captain Rhallon bring Third Squad at the end of Chapter 33?

9. Why does Doc Peret have to admit to the Cacciato chase in Chapter 33?

10. How does Paul Berlin plan plan to cope with his fears in Chapter 31?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The narrative of the novel begins with the announcement that Cacciato, the simpleton, has set off into the jungle to walk to Paris. Although the men of Third Squad are annoyed, they do not question the impetus that drove Cacciato. Write an essay on Paris as a symbol in Going After Cacciato. Why does the idea of walking to Paris appeal to all of the men in the Squad? What does Paris represent to each of them, and what doe they find themselves doing once they arrive?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay charting the progression of Oscar Johnson. How does he begin as a sympathetic figure - a man who cares for the safety of Third Squad - and slowly become a major antagonist to Paul Berlin? What does Oscar care for primarily? How are his grievances against the cavalier Sidney Martin similar to his grievances against the incompetent and deluded Paul Berlin?

Essay Topic 3

Midway through Going After Cacciato, Paul Berlin states that a fellow soldier's death can only be classified as a fact. Write an essay on the topic of death in the novel. Is there such a thing as a good death or a bad death in O'Brien's universe or is all death equally meaningless? Is there any difference in the way the author presents Bernie Lynn's death and the execution in Tehran? Is there any intimation from Berlin that there may be something after death?

(see the answer keys)

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