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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As a result of taking a risk in order to see his dead enemy's body, what happens to the sniper?
(a) He sets off a bomb.
(b) He is shot at.
(c) He has to kill another civilian.
(d) Nothing: he gets away with it.

2. What temporarily interferes with his vision and stops the sniper from seeing the results of his shot?
(a) Rain.
(b) Sweat.
(c) Smoke.
(d) Tears.

3. The name of the street gives the reader what important piece of information?
(a) How close the sniper is to the heart of the battle.
(b) That the sniper has been assigned to a pointless task.
(c) That the sniper has mistakenly positioned himself in enemy territory.
(d) How close the sniper is to his own home.

4. What causes the sniper to calm himself and get back to his job?
(a) He remembers the cause he is fighting for.
(b) He realizes that he needs medical attention.
(c) He sees that the sun is nearly up.
(d) He is nearly hit by his own bullet.

5. What is the sniper drinking?
(a) Whiskey.
(b) Tea.
(c) Milk.
(d) Coffee.

Short Answer Questions

1. The sniper takes a "draught" (96) of his drink. What is a "draught" in this context?

2. Why does the sniper decide that it is safe to move from the rooftop?

3. What does the sniper drop to the ground?

4. Once he is wounded, what makes it difficult for the sniper to achieve his goal?

5. What do the Free Staters want?

Short Essay Questions

1. What problem is created by the sniper's wound?

2. How does the enemy sniper manage to shoot the protagonist?

3. What causes the sniper to suddenly lose his enthusiasm for the battle?

4. What risk does the sniper take at the beginning of the story, and what are the consequences?

5. How does the sniper fool his enemy?

6. What is the symbolic significance of the O'Connell Bridge and the River Liffey?

7. Who are the Republicans at war with, and what does this opposition believe?

8. What happens as a result of the Republican sniper's ruse?

9. In the sentence "Almost immediately, a bullet flattened itself against the parapet of the roof," (96), what is being personified and what purpose does the personification of the bullet serve?

10. What are the two contrasting descriptions of the sniper given when he is first introduced?

(see the answer keys)

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