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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. How does Palmer's father lose an arm?

2. What is wrong with the men that Luther sees lying on the ground?

3. What Union noise does Johnston hear in Chapter 1?

4. What is the name of Walter's wife?

5. What sales career did Grant unsuccessfully try while staying out of the family business?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain three ways the Rebels made too much noise to make a surprise attack possible.

2. What is the significance of the drum heard in Chapter 1? Why is it important?

3. How does Walter learn the meaning of Shiloh? Discuss the meaning of the word.

4. What is a skirmish? How is it different from a battle?

5. What was Walter's typical day like, and why is it unusual?

6. Explain the Confederate strategy that is based on Waterloo.

7. Describe General Johnston's death, as witnessed by Luther.

8. Describe Luther's first hand-to-hand combat.

9. Why do some troops hear different versions of the letter from Johnston as they march to battle?

10. What event does Luther describe as "unreligious" and "obscene?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Otto's gift given to him from his father as he leaves for war? What does it symbolize to Otto? Also be certain to include a definition for "symbolism" in your response.

Essay Topic 2

Name and discuss three historical events or actual locations that exist in real-life and were mentioned in the book. What role does each event play in the book?

Essay Topic 3

Write a character description of Palmer. Was he a major character or minor one, static or dynamic? Support your answer with specific evidence form the story and be sure to include definitions of major and minor character.

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