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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. In what type of vehicle does Lisette ride with Jefferson in Chapter 7?

2. How long was Jefferson in prison?

3. Who is taken from the van in Chapter 4?

4. When did Castro's band of guerrilleros arrive at Las Coloradas Beach?

5. What did Juan Pablo take with him when he was tracking El Aleman?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ocho cause dissent among his team members when they were in Colombia?

2. What did El Aleman buy for his girlfriend's birthday?

3. What happens at a checkpoint at the end of Chapter 4?

4. Why was there a mission to go to schools as clowns in Chapter 8, and why was it not a good idea?

5. How had Medellin changed when Juan Pedro went there after his father was posted to the 4th Brigade there?

6. What was the difference between training soldiers in Afghanistan and in Colombia?

7. With whom does Abel probably communicate as the van speeds back to La Vigia after Lisette is kidnapped?

8. What happens when the peace vote arrives, and what difference will it make?

9. In 2007, why was it not possible to secure Afghanistan?

10. What is the difference between where army resources are deployed and how Juan Pedro would like to see resources deployed in Chapter 5?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Raul makes a lifestyle change. Why does Raul make a lifestyle change? How does his change cause unexpected consequences?

Essay Topic 2

Analogies are used to compare an unfamiliar object or idea to a familiar one in an attempt to explain the unfamiliar. How does the author use analogies in the book? How do analogies help readers understand unfamiliar ideas or understand events or characters?

Essay Topic 3

In the novel, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the story line? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

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