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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 Labri?

2. Was does Poterloo discover about his wife?

3. Who bargains with the civilian woman for space to sleep and eat?

4. Volpatte shares the first part of his story just after the squad finishes what type of duty?

5. Chapter 7 begins with the squad waiting where as they prepare for redeployment?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the German in the refuge say and wonder about God?

2. What is the condition of most of the soldiers the morning after the bombardment?

3. Describe the encounter that the narrator and Paradis have with the four German soldiers.

4. What do the men of the squad think about the shirkers?

5. What are the preparations for the offensive on the French side?

6. How does Poterloo sneak behind enemy lines?

7. What happens when the refuge is shelled by artillery?

8. What happened to Joseph's brother, and how is his body found?

9. What is Volpatte's opinion of the phrase, "If we do return"?

10. What obstacles do the French face during their assault on the German trench?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many types of forces and divisions within the French army are discussed in the book. The poilus are the mainstay of the French forces, but there are many others, including the Territorials, the Zouaves, and the Foreign Legion.

Part 1) Describe in detail at least three forces in the French army besides the poilus. Using information from the book, discuss their composition, their armaments, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Part 2) Using examples from the book, explain how each of these groups performs a vital function in the French army that helps to support the poilus.

Part 3) Explain how the poilus relate to each of these others forces. How often do they work in close connection? What is the poilus' opinion of each group?

Essay Topic 2

Near the end of the novel, religious themes are discussed frequently and in a serious fashion. The narrator himself reveals little about his faith or lack thereof, but the things he experiences clearly cause him to begin thinking about such matters in more detail. The men at the refuge discuss this subject in great detail. Appropriately, they ask more questions than they answer.

Part 1) How are religious themes developed throughout the novel. Explain how these themes are first introduced, where they are discussed most thoroughly and how, if at all, they are resolved.

Part 2) Explain the narrator's personal progression in this regard, citing examples to show his changing state of mind and increasing interest in the subject. Citing information from the book, explain why these changes take place.

Part 2) Explain some of the opinions of the poilus and other soldiers about religion and God. Explain how these opinions are consonant with their experiences and other opinions expressed at other points in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Corporal Bertrand is the aloof leader of the narrator's squad. The men respect his leadership, and he clearly is capable, most of his men having earned medals for their exploits.

Part 1) Describe Cpl. Bertrand as a character. What are his major character traits? What sets him apart, other than his rank, from the other members of the squad?

Part 2) What evidence suggests that Cpl. Bertrand is a capable leader? How does he earn the loyalty of the men who serve under his command?

Part 3) Explain, using examples from the book, what Cpl. Bertrand's leadership style is like in action. How does this contribute to the functioning of the squad?

(see the answer keys)

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