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. In Chapter 3, how long do the soldiers have before they get sent back to the front?

2. According to Cocon, each regiment includes how many non-combatants?

3. What is Labri?

4. Barque is described as being which of the following?

5. How are Volpatte and Fouillade's positions discovered?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the civilian's perceptions of the war differ from the soldier's experiences?

2. What do the soldiers think about people touting the fine and admirable side of war?

3. Describe the conditions in which the squad digs the trench in Chapter 23.

4. How does Paradis's mood change throughout Chapter 16?

5. How do the invalids in the sanatorium learn of the war?

6. What do the soldiers believe about fraternity, liberty, and equality?

7. How do the men feel about their "treasures"?

8. Describe Lamuse's relationship with Eudoxie.

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

10. What do Volpatte and Fouillade do between the time they are sent to the shell-hole and the time they are found by their unit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Despair is a constant threat in the novel. Many characters find unique ways to fight against despair and some are consumed by it. It is the source of strange behavior and adaptive strategies, and the cause of some seemingly suicidal actions.

Part 1) Explain the theme of despair as it occurs in the novel. How does this threat compare to other threats of trench life and warfare?

Part 2) Discuss some of the strategies some of the men develop to stave off despair. How well do these strategies fare. Explain examples of the men falling into complete despair.

Part 3) Using examples from the last chapters of the book, give a last analysis of the theme of despair. How much does it affect the men overall? How successful can they be, in the end, in fighting it off?

Essay Topic 2

Trench warfare features heavily in the novel, and brutality of a frontal assault on a trench is shown in detail in the title chapter, "Under Fire."

Part 1) Based on information from the book, describe the basics of trench warfare. Why are trenches necessary? How is a trench defended and assaulted?

Part 2) Cite examples from the book to show how successful frontal assaults against trenches usually are. What dangers does an assaulting force face on their approach to the trench?

Part 3) Describe the overall effectiveness of this kind of warfare. Based on the events of the novel, does this kind of warfare appear decisive?

Essay Topic 3

Lamuse is a unique character with strange, but internally consistent behavior. He is eccentric, but extremely loyal to his squad. Among the many normal men the narrator describes being drawn into the war, Lamuse learns to adapt well and demonstrates his strong character at many points in the novel.

Part 1) Describe Lamuse as a character. Who is he? Where does he come from? What is his appearance? What are his personality traits?

Part 2) The narrator often uses comparisons to various animals to describe Lamuse. Cite some of these examples and explain their purpose. What do these comparisons establish about Lamuse?

Part 3) Explain some of Lamuse's eccentricities and odd behavior, as well as some ways that he demonstrates his loyalty and dedication to the squad.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,035 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample