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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. In what branch of the military does Bill Harbison serve?

2. From what U.S. state does Nellie come?

3. Who is the 22-year-old nurse that Harbison started to date?

4. What is the narrator ordered to do on Norfolk Island?

5. Why is Nellie upset about Emile's half-Polynesian daughters?

Short Essay Questions

1. What irony is revealed regarding the British treatment of prisoners on the island and the activities of the Allies now?

2. Who is Dinah Culbert and what is her relationship to Bill Harbison?

3. Why does Joe face a court martial over the incident regarding mosquito netting?

4. What is Tony Fry known for because there is so much down time on the islands?

5. Why is Nellie feeling particularly vulnerable?

6. What is a milk run?

7. What types of emotional angst does Nellie experience in this environment which is so different from her native Alabama?

8. Who is the woman who is the center of the story in "Our Heroine"?

9. Who is Captain Samuel Kelley and for what is he responsible in the "Alligator" operation?

10. What happens when Luther Billis promises to set Joe up with some girls?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Michener is a master at dramatic devices. Choose an example of symbolism, metaphors, and irony, briefly describe them and identify the technique which they embody.

Essay Topic 2

Create a character study of Bus Adams. What are his physical characteristics? What are his motivations? What are his fears? What are his dreams? What else can you say about Bus?

Essay Topic 3

Boredom takes on an almost human persona in this story. What is this literary technique called? Cite examples that support this position.

(see the answer keys)

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