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. Who was JFK communicating with on a daily basis?

2. What did the Joint Chief of Staff suggest the U.S. do to respond to the letter sent October 27th?

3. In a conversation between JFK and Robert, how far did JFK say that he wanted to push the Russians?

4. Who urged the President to release photos of missiles to the UN for publication?

5. Who said "war is impossible . . . there is no alternative to peace" (104)?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Robert mean when he writes "no action is taken against a powerful adversary in a vacuum" (96)?

2. In the letter drafted by Robert and Sorenson in response to Khrushchev's letter received October 26th, what is the "first ingredient" (79) to a peaceful arrangement? Why?

3. Khrushchev uses several metaphors in his letter to JFK. What is one metaphor and what does it mean?

4. When the crisis was over, why did Kennedy not make a statement assigning credit for the success? And why did he instruct all involved not to provide one either?

5. What is one example Robert provides of a devil's advocate working?

6. How does an official from the Soviet Embassy deliver a message in an unorthodox manner? Why is it thought to be credible? What was the message?

7. What did the letter received October 23rd from Khrushchev imply about the U.S. and the repercussions the U.S. may expect?

8. Why did JFK choose the Marucla for the first vessel to be boarded?

9. How does JFK view the military advisers recommending war? Why does he feel this way?

10. Why does Robert believe that a devil's advocate is necessary for the President?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The prospect of nuclear holocaust haunts several of the men involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis (and on both sides). In an essay, identify who felt strongly about nuclear holocaust and why. What is involved in a nuclear war? How many would die? Was nuclear holocaust actually possible? Use the novel to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

The importance of risk as a theme cannot be overlooked in Thirteen Days. With the stakes high for action or inaction, every decision is a risk. In an essay, develop an argument either for or against taking risks in political situations. Identify JFK's attitude toward risk as well as one of his opponents. Conclude with an analysis of risk and the possible repercussions.

Essay Topic 3

The importance of communication is stressed throughout Thirteen Days. In an essay analyze this theme. You may want to answer one or more of the following questions in your essay: When is communication important? When are secrets kept? How does communication solve problems? How is communication flawed when there is a language barrier? Who needs to be communicating in a crisis? How important is communication?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,308 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample