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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. Who gets a letter from his wife?

2. Where does the King summon Marlowe, Larkin and McCoy?

3. What does the King do with the ring?

4. About what does the King caution Marlowe?

5. How much does the King give Prouty?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Dr. Kennedy say about Marlowe's arm?

2. What happens when the King offers Marlowe $108 dollars as Marlowe's take in the transaction with Prouty's watch?

3. Describe the negotiations between Timsen and the King for medical help for Marlowe.

4. Describe Marlowe's visit with McCoy in the infirmary.

5. Describe the scene where Marlowe acts as a go-between.

6. Why will the airfield detail have an agreeable aspect to it?

7. Who intercepts Lt. Grey as he goes to arrest Prouty and Marlowe, and why does Grey allow himself to be distracted?

8. How do Marlowe and the King go outside to wire, and where do they go?

9. Why does Sean refuse to go on stage and what changes his mind?

10. What happens when Lt. Grey stumbles from illness and what is the result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Politics" and manipulation influence much of what happens in KING RAT. Discuss one of the following:

1. Describe the political situation in KING RAT and how it impacts the actions of three of the major characters.

2. Discuss and analyze several people who try to manipulate others and their responses to the manipulators.

3. Do you think the Politics of a group of civilians in a similar situation would be different from that of the military, which has a system of rank that in some ways limits politics? Or does a military structure limit politics?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 4, the idea that a radio is essential to the good morale is introduced. Discuss the following:

1. Explain why you think the Japanese commander is continually searching for contraband radios. What should happen to a POW who is discovered to have "sold" the location of a camp radio to the Japanese?

2. Demonstrate using examples from the text how the radio contributes to the emotional/psychological well being of the men.

3. How does a radio play into the actual survival of the POWs at the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of power in KING RAT. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with power? Why? What are some symbols of power? Symbols of powerlessness? What characters seem powerless?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of survival in KING RAT. What characters are most concerned with survival? Why? What are some symbols of survival? Symbols of resignation? What characters seem determined to survive? Which ones seem not to care about survival? What is the difference between how the two types live?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of nationalism/patriotism. How does the POWs from each nation view patriotism/nationalism? Is patriotism important to the POWs? What about the Korean guards? The Japanese?

(see the answer keys)

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