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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 returns to help with the mission?

2. The _____ platoon of Alpha Company meets up with Downs' troops.

3. The area is now abandoned but had once been a thriving area for which type of product?

4. The patrol is sent out not to fight but to locate:

5. Downs accidentally steps on what type of a trap?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of Downs' ongoing complaints regarding the ARVN?

2. Who arrives to assist the soldiers? What happens during the operation?

3. Discuss at least one way in which the American soldiers can attack the Vietcong without being located.

4. Why is Downs angry when Sells releases the two men hiding in the bunker?

5. How and why is Downs rewarded for his actions in the field?

6. Where are the American soldiers sent to next?

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

8. The day after the conflict, there is another ambush. Who is ambushed? The recent events cause the men to have what realization? What is the reaction of the soldiers?

9. How is the platoon separated? Who are the leaders? What happens shortly after the separation? What is Downs' reaction to the conflict?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss in details Downs' experience in the Veterans Administration. How did Downs become involved with the VA? What type of work did Downs do? How long was Downs affiliated with the VA? What prompted Downs to take the promotion? What was the new job? What did it entail? How was the job directly related to Downs' own experience? Why did Downs travel back to Vietnam during this time? How did the trip affect Downs?

Essay Topic 3

Downs was among a long line of other soldiers wounded in the line of duty. Examine and discuss various types of wounds that are mentioned in the book. How were the majority of the wounds inflicted? What is the standard treatment of a non-serious wound? What is the standard treatment for a potentially fatal wound? Who attends to the soldiers when they are wounded? How common is it for doctors to be present and to take care of the wounds? When doctors are not around, who performs the work?

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