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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. As Part 1, Chapter 2 opens, the men are getting ready to advance on the island. What solider does Croft feel will be killed upon landing on Anopopei?

2. After Minetta is injured and taken to the hospital, what does he do to delay going back to combat?

3. In Part 2, Chapter 12, why does Red decide to go to the hospital?

4. Croft has a flashback and the reader learns that he joined a different branch of the military before joining the Army. What was the first branch Croft joined?

5. In Part 2, Chapter 3, what does Hearn feel guilty over?

Short Essay Questions

1. What seems to be Ridges main concern or frustration when the stretcher with Wilson on it is washed away?

2. What are Croft's feelings aboutHearn joining the platoon?

3. What is the bird in Part 3, Chapter 5 symbolic of? And how do Croft's actions confirm the symbolism?

4. In the opening scene, some of the men are playing cards. How does this card game reveal pieces of the men's personalities?

5. In the end what was the total death count?

6. After carrying Wilson and enduring the heat and exhaustion, why didn't the men leave Wilson behind?

7. What is learned about Cummings sexuality in Part 2, Chapter 6 and what leads to this conclusion?

8. As the men continue to trek up the mountain, what is their general physical condition?

9. Why does Red reject Hearn's offer to be promoted to corporal?

10. Why does Brown sometimes wish he was only a private?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Roth and Goldstein have a substantial conversation on the beach, and Roth feels they are becoming friends. Would these two characters be friends if they had met outside of the Army? Explain your reasoning with evidence using the characters background, education, personality, and thoughts reveled throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

The treatment of the officers compared to the soldiers is discussed a number of times throughout the book.

1) How are the officers treated as compared to the soldiers?

2) From an officer's viewpoint, why are the soldiers and officers treated differently? Cite examples from specific characters.

3) From a soldier's viewpoint, why are the soldiers and officers treated differently? Cite examples from specific characters.

4) Which view point do you agree with and why? If you do not agree with either, explain.

Essay Topic 3

Some authors will write based on experience and may at time identify with one of the characters in their stories. Research the life of Norma Mailer to answer the following question: do you think Mailer is like any of the characters in his story? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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