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. After the attack on which village does O'Brien lose a buddy?

2. What does the forest symbolize to O'Brien?

3. What does O'Brien think will happen to him in the rainforest in Vietnam?

4. What does it mean to the members of Alpha Company to be getting short?

5. Which area is considered really dangerous?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does O'Brien spend his last summer before starting basic training?

2. What causes fear and paranoia in the soldiers?

3. When does O'Brien become a true soldier?

4. What is sometimes the cause of the explosive ordinance attacks?

5. What does O'Brien rebel against during basic training?

6. What do the soldiers learn how to do at the combat center?

7. Why does the Chaplain disappoint O'Brien?

8. What is O'Brien's moral dilemma?

9. How does O'Brien obtain his passport and shot records?

10. Describe the message O'Brien wishes to convey through chapter ten.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a biography of O'Brien's time in Vietnam. Why was O'Brien opposed to the Vietnam war? How did his feelings change? In what ways did they remain the same?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay comparing Captain Smith and Major Callicles. In what ways are they similar? In what ways are they different? Which character do you believe you are most like? Why? Use specific examples from the text to support your writing.

Essay Topic 3

Describe why Captain Johansen can be considered a hero. What is your definition of a hero? Does O'Brien meet your personal definition of a hero at any time throughout this novel? Do you believe your definition is universal or unique?Uses examples from the story to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 545 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample