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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 does Jelal say that recruits should not seek to be?

2. What rank does Rico make after training?

3. What does Rico state is the troopers trade?

4. What does Rico claim that training is as planned as?

5. Which two characters celebrate their birthdays?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Rico's opinion of boot camp in retrospect?

2. Why does the fleet sergeant discourage the two boys from joining the army?

3. How does Zim respond to Hendrick's criticism of him?

4. What do the power suits enable a soldier to do?

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

6. Describe Sergeant Zim.

7. Why is Rico feeling so low in Chapter 5?

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

9. Describe Rico's punishment.

10. Describe the three types of suits.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Heinlein's writing style. How would you describe Heinlein's prose style? What kind of vocabulary does he use? Does he use any specific writing techniques? What meaning does Heinlein's style give to the story?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

It is claimed that Starship Troopers comes from an overtly anti-communist view point. In what ways do the students think that Starship Troopers is anti-communist? In what way does this reflect American society at the time? Are there any characters in the novel that represent communism? If so, how does Heinlein portray these characters?

(see the answer keys)

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