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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. According to the stage directions, what song begins playing at the end of Act 1?

2. As Billy, Roger, and Richie are getting finishing up the floors, Roger gets out a radio. What song are they listening to?

3. What did Cokes get the Silver Star for?

4. How many bunks are on the stage at the opening of Act 1?

5. What excuse does Carlyle make for his behavior (crawling on the floor)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Roger believe that just because you tried it (homosexual activity) doesn't make one a homosexual?

2. What does Roger mean by the statement he makes regarding white men and Coppertone?

3. What does Roger tell Billy he "better learn"?

4. Why does Carlyle call Roger a "Tom"?

5. Why is Carlyle jealous of Billy, Richie, and Roger?

6. What is symbolic about Cokes saying the the man in the spider hole was "singing it"?

7. After Carlyle is cuffed, why does Carlye think that the lieutenant and MPs have no right to tell him what to do?

8. Why does Billy compare Carlyle to an animal?

9. What does Carlyle mean when talking about "the black man's problem"?

10. What is the significance of Billy shutting the door at the end of Act 2, Scene 1?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

All of the men (Billy, Roger, Richie, and Carlyle) are afraid of war. Choose one character and define their fear of war using textual evidence while explaining the reasoning behind the fears.

Essay Topic 2

What does Carlyle mean when he says, "it has been a long damn time...you ain't gonna put a stop to it," to Billy? What is Carlyle talking about? Could there be a hidden meaning to this statement? Be sure to use textual evidence to support.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of Richie's "tall tales." Discuss why you believe Richie tells the story. Is there any truth behind the story? Why do you think Richie feels he must stretch the truth?

-What goes on in war: snakes and elephant dung

-The story about his dad leaving and being on TV

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 961 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample