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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 Sgt. Migliacco's main function in the MI?

2. Why does Jelal order one man to fall out?

3. How many lashes does Rico receive?

4. What does Rico say is worse than the strokes?

5. What are Zim's favorite weapon?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Ace and Rico's fight.

2. Why are the bugs so difficult to fight?

3. What is Rico's father's problem with Rico joining the army?

4. How does Rico's promotion to recruit-corporal change his situation?

5. What does a soldier use his facial muscles for inside a power suit?

6. How do the MIs respond to the loss of Breckenbridge?

7. How do Rico's parents receive the news that he is going to join the army?

8. What does Jejal tell his troops?

9. Summarize Chapter 1.

10. What does Rico's father want him to do instead of the army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Heinlein use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

2) Discuss elements of the narrative structure; exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution, and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

3) Away from the main character Henderson, examine the way Heinlein uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?

Essay Topic 2

Is Heinlein promoting the use of women in warfare? Why does he not have women fighting on the ground? Do the students agree that women and men are better at different jobs such as piloting and fighting? What kind of reaction do you think Heinlein would have gotten in the fifties in such a book if he had portrayed women as being flogged?

Essay Topic 3

Identify the main themes of the story. Why do you think these themes are so important to the story? How does Heinlein use character and setting to express these themes?

(see the answer keys)

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