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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. Who does Mandella share his sack with that night?

2. On what does Rogers call Mandella?

3. Who orders the company to open fire on the animals?

4. Who does the armorer use as a model to show off the suits?

5. Who leads Mandella's team?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What shots are the troops given in Chapter 2, Part 1?

3. How does Mandella almost damage his eyes in Chapter 7?

4. What do squad leaders think are the reasons for low morale on the ship?

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

6. What has happened to Marygay at the beginning of Chapter 4, Part 2?

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

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

9. How have the Taurens improved their technology since the last meeting?

10. What mistake does Mandella make in training at the beginning of Chapter 7?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

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 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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