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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. What is Helen's hope concerning herself and Linh?

2. What does Helen start to do so the soldiers will respect her?

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

4. What does Darrow give Helen the next morning?

5. How long has Annick lived in Vietnam?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Helen do with her bags in the motel and why does she do it?

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

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

4. What happens in the evening of Helen's first trip into the field?

5. Why did Helen's brother go to Vietnam?

6. What happens to Linh after Helen leaves him and what does Linh think about the events of the day?

7. What happens when Linh meets his first American?

8. What happens when Helen and Linh board a medical helicopter?

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Lotus Eaters based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Lotus Eaters is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Lotus Eaters a successful novel? What about young teens?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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