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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. Why is Helen stopped in the street?

2. What worries Darrow about Helen the most?

3. What does Bao require Linh to do?

4. Why does the soldier allow Linh to stay with Helen?

5. What do the taxis in Saigon look like?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Linh's life like before he was drafted into the army?

2. How does Helen meet Darrow and what happens when she does?

3. How does Helen survive in Saigon without Darrow?

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

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

6. How did Linh end up working for Sam Darrow?

7. What have Helen and Linh been doing for three years and why?

8. Who does Helen meet in the Special Forces and what does she learn from him and what happens to him?

9. What happens and who does Helen meet the first time she goes into the field with Darrow?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Lotus Eaters is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of trust in The Lotus Eaters. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with trust? Why? What are some symbols of trust? Symbols of distrust? What characters seem trustworthy? Untrustworthy?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Lotus Eaters. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of death in The Lotus Eaters. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with death? Why? What are some symbols of death? Symbols of life? What characters seem to want to die?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Helen and Linh. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Linh and Darrow. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Lotus Eaters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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