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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. Where were the troops moved to next?

2. What types of patrols are sent out by Downs?

3. Which government office is held by one of the Vietnamese civilians?

4. What is the name of the base camp?

5. Which adjective best describes the firepower of the Americans?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who gives Downs details about his destination? What does the man say?

2. What is the plan for the base camp once the soldiers arrive on site?

3. How does Downs deal with one of the soldiers that has proven to be lazy?

4. How do the soldiers in the battalion refer to the Vietnamese and the Vietcong?

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

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

7. What is the basic plan for battle for the First Platoon? Would the platoon have any back up?

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

9. What is Downs' rank? Where does Downs go on his first assignment?

10. What is the issue with convoys traveling by the established road? What were the orders issued to the men?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

In addition to physical damage and recovery, many soldiers face temporary or permanent psychological damage. Discuss this fact as it applies to the book. Who may have suffered from psychological damage? How did Downs deal with his psychological issues first when he returned stateside and attempted to become a civilian to each incident when he was injured? How did Downs handle it when he was discharged from the military?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss in detail the facts and statistics about the Vietnam War. Why was there a war? Was it technically defined as a war? Explain. What were the reasons behind the US military involvement in Vietnam? How many soldiers were sent over? How many casualties were there? When did the war begin and end? What was proven? Who won?

(see the answer keys)

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