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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. What physical evidence form Oswald is Branch surprised to have in 2 July?

2. Which Kennedy does Carmine Latta particularly hate?

3. What does George de Mohrenschildt ask of Lee in exchange for better job?

4. How high does the captured U-2 pilot claim he was flying when shot down?

5. What other event besides Miami does Kennedy cancel in this section?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Oswald do in Dallas prior to killing Kennedy?

2. How does Lee and Marina's relationship begin?

3. What do Frank and Raymo commiserate about on July 2nd?

4. On August 12th, what concerns does Win Everett express to Parmenter?

5. Describe Lee's life in Minsk after returning from the U-2 Interrogation.

6. What role does writing play and Lee's life in Minsk?

7. Why is Oswald brought back to Moscow?

8. What calls Oswald's testimony into question in Minsk?

9. What deal does Lee strike with the FBI in New Orleans?

10. How does Lee Oswald decide to kill General Walker?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The main framing device of the two narratives of Libra is the figure of Nicholas Branch. In an essay, discuss the Branch storyline in the novel. Who is Nicholas Branch, and what is his objective in the novel? How does his life devolve in a fashion similar to Oswald's? Discuss the extent to which the rest of Libra is the product of Nicholas Branch's work.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay about the value of intelligence in Libra. How does the life of Lee Oswald reflect the way information is monetized? Why is Lee Oswald given a flat and a job in Minsk by the Soviets? Why do both the CIA and the FBI express interest in Oswald after his return to the US? Discuss how Oswald, because of his faulty understanding of his intelligence, proves useless to these agencies.

Essay Topic 3

In Libra, the author makes a clear statement regarding a conspiracy to kill Kennedy. He also includes characters in the text that illustrate the ire toward Kennedy felt by others in the country. Write an essay about three individuals who represent possible threats to the President. What is each character's specific problem with Kennedy? How does he express this outrage, and why is he ultimately not a central planner of the killing?

Part 1) Parmenter

Part 2) Astorina

Part 3) Bannister

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 928 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample