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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. Downs begins to think about going to ____ school.

2. Who serves as the point man on the next patrol?

3. The platoon decides to stop by two _____.

4. Who wants to execute the men in the bunker?

5. Downs and his platoon return to which camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. Discuss Downs' state of mind at this stage of the war. What objections does Downs have about the way the mission is being operated?

2. What incident takes place involving the seven civilians? What is the attitude of the soldiers on both sides?

3. Discuss Downs' opinion of the base camp and area surrounding Pleiku.

4. What happens to the wounded men? What can the soldiers do to save them?

5. How does Downs win the battle with the NVA soldier?

6. Sells sends Downs and his men on a foot patrol. Where does Sells send the men? What change has there been in personnel?

7. Explain the trip to the area around the Tam Ky province. What is the general atmosphere of the area.

8. What happens to a soldier from the Alpha Company's 3-6 platoon?

9. Where are the American soldiers sent to next?

10. Explain what the author means by the genocidal aspect of the war. How does Downs justify this behavior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Closely examine the various types of weapons used and mentioned throughout the story. What types of weapons were most commonly used? Which were the most popular for snipers and scouts? For soldiers? For members of the infantry? Which weapons were found to be ineffectual? Which weapons might still be used today in a military operation? How do the weapons used in the military compare to those used by individuals?

Essay Topic 2

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 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 847 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample