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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 Bull attack a young corporal in the bathroom?

2. What does Lillian suggest Bull do when he meets with Varney?

3. Why does someone throw a shot put ball at Bull?

4. Who is Red Pettus?

5. Whose poor choice in men does Ben criticize?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In Chapter 8, what does Lillian congratulate Bull for doing? Why?

3. What does Lillian tell Ben that brings him to tears?

4. Why does Ben challenge Bull to a basketball game?

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

6. Who is Toomer? Why does Ben believe his mother encouraged him to go fishing with Toomer?

7. What does Bull want his daughter's to be as adults? How does this correspond with Mary Anne's opinion of her own future prospects?

8. Why are the Meecham children less than enthusiastic about their father's return after a year's deployment?

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

10. Why does a Naval officer threaten to file a conduct report against Bull?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss abuse. What is abuse? What are the different types of abuse? How many different types of abuse can you find in this novel? Give examples of each. Who is the perpetrator of abuse in this novel? Who are the victims? Why are these people victims?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss the theme of racism. What examples of racism are there in this novel? How does racism affect the characters of the novel directly? Indirectly? What characters are motivated by racism? What characters are affected by racism? Why?

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