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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 problem does Thomas McCoy appear to have?

2. Where is Pick dining with his grandfather, Andrew Foster?

3. What does the hotel doctor do for Pickering?

4. Where in New Jersey is the Naval Air Station?

5. In what vehicle do Pickering and Stecker travel to the Naval Air Station?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the crates in the freighter that docks in Melbourne?

2. What happens when the radio goes off before the invasion?

3. How does Koffler avoid detection by the Betty Bombers?

4. Why does Hart come to Pick to tell him about his father?

5. How does Pickering respond to his promotion?

6. How does Pick respond to news of his father's illness?

7. What is the message that Feldt receives and why does Banning dislike Mitchell?

8. What is the formality that Fowler experiences when he travels to the White House?

9. How do the Americans keep their troops fresh for the attack on Henderson Field?

10. How does Fowler and Knox try to help Pickering?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the main themes in the book is ethical and social responsibility. List at least four examples where Griffin employs this specific theme. Is the battle between making ethical choices obvious or subtle? What characters are involved in this kind of battle? Do you think the right person or group won? Does good always triumph over evil in the case of Line of Fire ethics? Where do these definitions appear vague or incomprehensible?

Essay Topic 2

Describe some of the settings for Line of Fire. What is the overall setting? How do the Solomon Islands change over time? How is San Francisco different from the depiction of San Diego? Be sure to include geography, time period and any pertinent popular culture events. Why did the author choose to use these places in Line of Fire?

Essay Topic 3

Love and sexuality between different characters is a recurring theme in Line of Fire. How does Jake's feelings about love change from the beginning of the novel to its end? In what ways has he expanded his awareness and beliefs? Is sexuality connected to love for Jake? How does his feelings develop for Veronica and change and how does his relationship with her contrast with that of other women that he has had romantic feelings for or an idealized relationship with?

(see the answer keys)

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