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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who in Towers's story to the trainees did Towers surprise during World War II?
(a) A platoon of German Navy.
(b) A German.
(c) A Jewish man.
(d) A squad of German amory trucks.

2. What was the answer to Pavlo's question to Ardell?
(a) That Ardell was going to kill him.
(b) That Pavlo killed another man.
(c) That Joanna had written to Pavlo.
(d) That Pavlo was about to be dead.

3. When Pierce and Pavlo are speaking in the furnace room, what does Ardell do to Pavlo as the other trainees are in formation?
(a) Tells him to go home.
(b) Punches Pavlo.
(c) Runs him through weapons drill.
(d) Gives him a heavy rock to hold above his head.

4. What kind of a game do Pierce, Hinkle, and Kress set up?
(a) Black Jack.
(b) Poker.
(c) Crazy eights.
(d) Kings.

5. What will Towers now name or call each trainee from Act 1 on?
(a) US Army.
(b) Army Boy.
(c) Kid.
(d) Boy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is happening in the barracks when Ardell first appears to find Pavlo near death?

2. What does Pavlo do after weapons drill that nobody else does?

3. What is the subject of the first army song sung?

4. When Pavlo asks how the man in the Corporal's story "knew," what was the Corporal's answer?

5. What does Ardell say to Pavlo in regards to the person Pavlo sees in the mirror?

Short Essay Questions

1. How has Pavlo dealt with struggles concerning his family/social relations? Could it be surmised that the "wound" Towers is referring to may also relate to Pavlo's wounds of the ill-effects of poor relationships throughout his life? How?

2. Explore the reasons why Pavlo might be desperate for a new identity.

3. How are the opening scenes of this play different than others? Plot-wise, hypothesize over the purpose of this style of opening.

4. Theorize on the effect that the two stabbings have on Pavlo in Act 2, Part 3.

5. What can the audience understand about Pavlo's mentality in Act 2, Part 4 when Pavlo shouts back to Ardell after being wounded that they can "hurt him as many times as they want?"

6. How is Pavlo's understanding of acceptable social engagement impaired? Back up your answer with examples.

7. In what way does Pavlo try to become "a good soldier"? Explain what seems to get in the way of this endeavor.

8. Pavlo seems to respond to events in many different ways. Explain how his response to Pierce, when Pierce urges him to fight back, can be viewed as a highly perceptive and telling one for the audience about Pavlo's life views.

9. How does Pavlo's egocentrism and immaturity play a part in misleading him from the identity he so strongly desires?

10. What could be surmised about Pavlo's thoughts from his comments to Miller about wanting to be on the front lines in Act 3, Part 2?

(see the answer keys)

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