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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 secrets do the Soviet interviewers ask Oswald about?

2. In 6 September, Branch notices that many conspirators in the assassination have what?

3. What does Oswald tell the American embassy he will do for the Russians?

4. What is the name of the KGB agent who becomes Oswald's close acquaintance?

5. Why is the motorcade in Miami canceled?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What money problems is Jack Ruby facing on August 12th?

3. What strange items has the CIA curator provided Branch with?

4. On October 4th, what does Branch learn about Kennedy's Miami visit?

5. Why does Carmine Latta help with the assassination attempt?

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

7. How does Lee meet George de Mohrenschildt?

8. Describe the conversation between Ruby and Tony Astorina on September 25th.

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

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 character of Lee Oswald in Libra is an ambiguous figure, one whose loyalty is never clear as he moves from place to place and relationship to relationship. Write a three-part essay analyzing the shifting loyalties Oswald illustrates throughout the novel:

Part 1) Discuss Oswald's defection to the Soviet Union. At what point in his life does he decide that he should live in a Communist country? How does Soviet society appeal to Lee Oswald, and why does he eventually decide to return to the United States?

Part 2) What is Lee Oswald's life like in New Orleans. Why does he become friends with right wingers life Bannister and Ferrie despite his leftist leanings? Discuss his reasons for working in Bannister's office and why these conservative players tolerate his pro-Castro literature.

Part 3) Discuss the mindset that Oswald displays as he waits in his jail cell following Kennedy's murder. How does he rationalize his participation in the murder plot? What defense does he think he can present to authorities? How does this represent a fractured psyche?

Essay Topic 2

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

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about insanity and disassociation in Libra. What mechanisms does Lee Oswald use to assume false identities, and how does this allow him disassociate himself from his actions? Discuss how Lee's view of the world becomes skewed. What delusions does he desperately hold on to? What false patterns does he begin to see in everyday life, and how does this fuel his willingness to kill Kennedy?

(see the answer keys)

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