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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 color are Martha's eyes?

2. Where do the men camp in the chapter titled "Church?"

3. What does Elroy do to tempt Tim to run away?

4. How long did Alpha Company camp at the pagoda?

5. What did Lt. Cross keep under his tongue?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Martha's response to Jimmy's confession about wanting to hold her knee?

2. Give a description of boredom as used in the novel.

3. How are the terms of the death pact ultimately carried out?

4. How did things start when Mary Anne first arrived, and how did they change?

5. Why was Curt Lemon afraid of the dentist?

6. Who did you think was the victim as you read the chapter, and who did you think was the victim once you finished it? Why?

7. How were Lieutenant Cross's tears misinterpreted after the death of Ted Lavender?

8. Why do Jimmy Cross and Tim O'Brien stop drinking coffee, and what do they switch to?

9. What is Henry's reaction to his girlfriend dumping him?

10. How does Lieutenant Cross resolve his responsibility in Ted Lavender's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"The Things They Carried: A Work of Fiction" is described as 22 short stories tied into a novel. Select a chapter from the novel and explain how the title relates to the story, and evaluate if the chapter could stand alone as a short story. Identify its weaknesses and strengths and how it fulfills or fails to satisfy the requirements of a story: beginning, middle and end.

Essay Topic 2

Explain Lieutenant Cross's responsibility or perceived responsibility in the various deaths of his men. How does he react to each one? Do his actions live up to his words and thoughts of improvement as a leader?

Essay Topic 3

"The Things They Carried" tackles the theme of death in numerous ways. There are accountings of anticipated deaths, surprise deaths, and even brushes with near-death. Explore how the novel handles each type of death, and the overall message the book communicates about this universal theme. Be sure to cite specific textual evidence.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,016 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample