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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. Because the enemy knows the standard operation plan of the American troops, they often execute which technique to fight off the soldiers?

2. What is the surname of the main character?

3. An American is wounded in which area of his body?

4. How do the soldiers get from the helicopters to the ground?

5. The platoons will be stationed approximately how many kilometers apart?

Short Essay Questions

1. Downs comes to what realization during this time?

2. Discuss Downs' first mission and the sights he witnesses.

3. Explain Downs' first friendly encounter with the Vietnamese villagers.

4. Describe the scene when Lt. Frederick Downs arrives at the airfield for the first time.

5. When is the platoon moved from the area? Where are they taken to set up a new base camp?

6. Describe the scene that takes place on the bridge. Who is involved?

7. What type of personnel make up the platoon? What is the common bond between all of the men?

8. Discuss the scene in which the platoon goes out into the rice paddies. Who do the soldiers see? What mishap occurs?

9. Where does Downs and his platoon spend the first two months in Vietnam?

10. What difficulty do the soldiers have when it comes to landing the helicopter? What is the solution to the problem?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Interview someone who served in Vietnam and write a 1000 word essay on the experience and how it affected the soldier's life. Be sure to include any traumatic events, real or imagined as well as post traumatic stress, involvement with the VA, and life before and after the war.

Essay Topic 2

Downs is disgusted by the behavior of the ARVN soldiers. Explain why Downs was so angry. Was that kind of behavior common for a trained and experienced soldier? Explain. Do you think Downs was truly concerned about the ARVN hurting his platoon? What might have happened if a soldier had been hit by the shots fired over the heads of the platoon members on patrol? Do you think the shooting would have been covered up or would the ARVN soldier be exposed? What might happen to the soldier if caught?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the life of an American soldier with soldiers from at least two other countries, in addition to North and South Vietnam. Include the involvement of the ARVN in comparison to the regular Army troops. Which do you think made the biggest efforts? Which country was most instrumental in ending the war?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 880 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample