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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. Where are Pickering's uniforms from?

2. Who is Hart's assistant drill instructor?

3. What organization will Pickering be head of as a result of his promotion?

4. Who is injured and waits at Henderson Field?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Zimmerman discover about Thomas McCoy's deployment?

4. How does Rickabee assist Pickering?

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

6. What does Pickering learn from the President about his assignment?

7. What does Pickering argue about with Fowler in order to get out of the Navy?

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

9. Why do Pick and Stecker find that they have to explain their actions often to superiors?

10. How does Pickering respond to his promotion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Politics play a significant role in the book. Griffin refers to the politics of American naval bases compared to that of aviation. Discuss the use of politics in the novel. How does politics influence the actions of the main characters of Pickering, McCoy, and others? Also examine the use of politics in relationships.

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

Motive is a powerful driving force behind action. Why is motive important in determining the actions and behavior of the soldiers? What are the motives of McCoy? How do they contrast with that of Pickering or Jake? Where do they coincide?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 782 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample