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. When is the new completion date set for the railroad in Section 2, Chapter 14?

2. What word from Section 2 refers to a violent and noisy commotion or uproar?

3. Where do Dorrigo and Amy go together in Section 2, Chapter 10?

4. What news does Keith relate to Amy in Section 2, Chapter 27?

5. By whom have Dorrigo and the others been taken prisoner in Section 1, Chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. What personality trait stands out the most in Dorrigo's character from the beginning of the novel?

2. How has Darky Gardiner come into possession of a duck egg in Section 3, Chapter 1?

3. How is the character of Tiny Middleton described in Section 3, Chapter 1? What do the other prisoners think of Tiny?

4. What does Colonel Kota remark about the act of beheading in Section 2, Chapter 16?

5. How is Dorrigo's meeting with Keith described in Section 2, Chapter 9?

6. What event leads to the surrender of Dorrigo and his men in Section 1, Chapter 13?

7. How is Rooster MacNeice's relationship with the book Mein Kampf described in Section 3, Chapter 3?

8. What infraction leads to Darky Gardiner being beaten in Section 3, Chapter 4?

9. What is the significance of Rabbit's sketchbook in the novel? What happens to the sketchbook when Rabbit dies in Section 3?

10. How are Amy's circumstances described in Section 2, Chapter 15? What internal conflicts is she grappling with?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the setting established in Section 1, Chapters 1-2. What town does Dorrigo’s family live in? How big is it? How important is the setting to the story? What is the importance of this setting to Dorrigo?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the Yasukuni Shrine and the Book of Souls. How many individuals are memorialized in the Book of Souls? How many of these individuals were found guilty of war crimes? What do you think is the significance of the author’s allusion to this memorial?

Essay Topic 3

Define and discuss the concept of “conservative humanism.” Why is Dorrigo labeled a conservative humanist? What does this label mean? Do you agree with the viewpoints of conservative humanism? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 896 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample