View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At what Air Force Base are Helen and Darrow at the opening of Chapter 4?

2. Why is Linh not with Helen at the beginning of the book?

3. Why is Saigon in chaos?

4. What is Helen's first assignment from Gary?

5. What does Helen attempt to do the evening she returns from the field?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Linh meets his first American?

2. What is Helen's first assignment from Gary?

3. How does Helen finally get to be seen like one of the boys?

4. Why is Helen stopped on the street and what happens when she is stopped?

5. How does Linh feel when he sees a picture of Helen and Darrow and why does he feel that way? What does he think about the picture?

6. What happens when Helen and Linh arrive at the embassy?

7. How does Helen feel about her relationship with Darrow and how does Darrow feel about it?

8. Who does Helen meet at the river and what do they discuss?

9. How does Helen meet Annick and what happens when she does?

10. How does Linh end up working for the North?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in The Lotus Eaters? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in The Lotus Eaters including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from The Lotus Eaters and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

It is true that Helen is addicted to war. She liked Vietnam upon arrival. Her family connection had brought her from the U.S. to the country at the beginning of the war. Others, such as Darrow, did not take her seriously at first, partly because many people were interested in seeing what was going on but few had the guts or wherewithal to understand or brave the real action. Besides, Helen was a young female and did not have the tarnish like many of the professionals that worked in the country.

Helen manages to keep at least some of her optimism. In many ways she does seem to be charmed. Many wonder if her risks and sacrifices are worth the pay off. In Helen's mind, there are no choices. She must stay in Saigon until the very last moment. Helen believes that she will survive.

1. Do you think someone can be addicted to war? Why or why not? Do you think Helen is? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss the various ways in which Helen is discriminated against because she is a woman. Include your opinion as to whether a female reporter in Iraq today would have the same problems. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your reasoning.

3. Do you think the risks Helen takes indicates she has some sort of death wish or that she might be mentally unstable or do you think the risks is worth the photographs? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 3

The Lotus Eaters belongs to the historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the historical fiction genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a historical fiction and a mystery?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,228 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample