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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 the name of the female recruit who questions the sergeant about the film?

2. What kind of killing is the film about?

3. What is the name of the alien force with which Earth is at war.

4. What is the name of the company's sergeant on Charon?

5. To where is the company going back?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Mandella's feeling about killing the animals in Chapter 12?

2. With what have the platoon commanders been pre-programmed?

3. What advantages and disadvantages do the human have in fighting the Taurans?

4. How does Mandella try and help Marygay as they wait for a medic?

5. How does the novel open?

6. How does Mandella feel towards the enemy in Chapter 15?

7. How was Mandella a success in training in Chapter 7?

8. What are the students' responses to the film?

9. How have things changed at the beginning of Chapter 1, Part 2?

10. How does Stott demonstrate how dangerous the suit can be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Look at the structure of the novel.

1) How does Haldeman 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) Aside from the main character, examine the way Haldeman uses the other characters in the story. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have?

Essay Topic 2

The Forever War is part of the science fiction genre.

1) What are the conventions of the science fiction genre in terms of character, language and plot?

2) In what way did The Forever War help to set the template for similar novels? Do modern novels still use the ideas used in The Forever War?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the twist ending. Choose one scene in the book and discuss how the twist ending changes your perception of that scene.

(see the answer keys)

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