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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 is wrong with the women who work in the munitions factories?

2. What classes did Rivers' father used to teach?

3. What does Sarah's mother think about the relationship between men and women?

4. Who does Prior see and realize he really likes?

5. Who is Sassoon on his way to see at the end of Chapter 18?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Rivers stay the first night in London and how does he find his new job?

2. Why is Rivers given three weeks leave by Dr. Bryce?

3. What does Sarah find out about Madge at work?

4. What is Rivers doing in Chapter 20 and why?

5. Why does Rivers go to Aldebugh?

6. Where does Rivers go on leave and why is that place there for him to visit?

7. Why is Peter sent to Rivers?

8. How does Sarah feel about Prior when he has not seen her for a week and what does he tell her?

9. What does Rivers try to do for his brother while on leave but what does he end up doing?

10. What are Sassoon and Owen working on together and what are Owen's plans for his future?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare Sassoon's feelings about war and his assertion that it is not justified in the case of the First World War, with the ideas many Vietnam draftees expressed.

2. Do you think Sassoon's reaction to war is a common reaction for soldiers? Why or why not?

3. There is an idea that rich, political persons declare war but the common, poor person fights them. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by this book. Questions that most likely Barker wanted the readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the author's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Barker's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

Essay Topic 3

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and both Sassoon and Rivers are no exceptions.

1. Trace and analyze situations when Sassoon and Rivers each demonstrates his admirable traits. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze both Sassoon and Rivers' character flaws, and explain how the flaws create more complex and believable characters. How do you think either man's character flaws make some situations more difficult for him?

3. After analyzing each man's strengths and weaknesses, decide if each man is an appropriate "hero" of the story. Is there anyone else who might be a more admirable "hero"?

(see the answer keys)

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