View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Bull give Ben for his birthday?

2. What does Toomer sell?

3. Who attempts to console Bull?

4. Which men does Bull single out in his squad?

5. What is the center of Ravenel's gossip community?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Bull sign his children up for Catechism classes?

2. What does Varney know about Bull that few others know?

3. Why does Lillian defend Bull?

4. Bull sits and reflects after the change of command ceremony that gives him command of his own squad. How does Bull feel?

5. What is the significance of the Marine Corps Hymn to Bull? To the Meecham children?

6. Why does Mary Anne believe neither she nor Ben will ever be writers?

7. Why does Bull begin having breakfast at Hobie's Grill?

8. What does Bull's behavior at Hobie's say about his personality?

9. Who comes to Ben's aid after school when Red and his brothers attack him?

10. On the first day of school, who goads Ben into fighting with Red Pettus? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Ben is man of the family in his father's absence. How is the family different with Ben in charge? How is the family the same? How is Ben like Bull? How is Ben different? Will Ben grow up to be his own man, or will he follow in his father's footsteps? How has Bull's early death affected the course of Ben's life? How might Ben's life been different had Bull not died the way he did?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss setting. What is the setting of this novel? How does setting influence the plot of the novel? How does setting influence the characters? How would a different setting affect the characters of this novel? Would a different setting make a difference to any key characters? Which characters would be affected? Which characters would not be affected?

Essay Topic 3

What is Bull's job in Ravenel? Why is Bull excited about this new job? What could this job mean for Bull's future? Why does Bull not like his commander, Varney? Who is Varney? What is Varney's relationship with Bull? How could Varney harm Bull's career? Would Varney ruin Bull's career? Why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,010 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample