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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. Why did Kerry most likely agree to debate O'Neill on the Dick Cavett Show?

2. What was Cavett's reputation as a commentator?

3. As a result of his poor performance, how did the audience react to Kerry at the end of the Dick Cavett Show?

4. What is a "skimmer"?

5. Based on Kerry's report, what kind of knowledge did the U.S. Army have of these "atrocities"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an example of the report that Kerry lacked the nerves for combat and often would overreact to situations?

2. What were Kerry's reasons for choosing the Swift Boats to serve on?

3. How was Kerry awarded the third Purple Heart, and why was it significant?

4. What were the circumstances around the award of Kerry's second Purple Heart, and how does it parallel the first?

5. What were the events surrounding the first Purple Heart medal that Kerry received, and why do the authors question its validity?

6. How did O'Neill finally have the chance to debate Kerry in 1971?

7. How was Kerry awarded the Silver Star?

8. What did O'Neill first do to challenge Kerry on his testimony, and how did Kerry respond?

9. What happened in the infamous sampan incident, where a mother and her child were found, and how did Kerry respond?

10. Why is it important to understand when the problems between O'Neill and Kerry began?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the exhibit that Bill Lupetti witnessed when he visited Vietnam. What are the most surprising things about the exhibit? How does it relate to the authors' description of Kerry and his overall qualifications to be the Commander in Chief?

Essay Topic 2

O'Neill's opposition to Kerry's actions began over 30 years before Unfit for Command was written.

1) Describe the circumstances for the basis of O'Neill's objections.

2) What were the circumstances surrounding the debate between O'Neill and Kerry, why did it take so long to schedule the event, and how was the venue chosen?

3) What was the end result of the debate? Why did the crowd react the way they did? What important suggestion does O'Neill make to the readers about the debate, and why? What does Kerry's lack of evidence in the debate illustrate with regards to the claims he has made against the military?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Kerry's actions in the sampan incident. What was the setting for it and why is that relevant? What should Kerry have done differently? What were the results of his actions and the significance of the people in the sampan? In an attempt to explain the situation, who does Kerry blame? How did Kerry report the incident and what were his reasons for doing so? Why is the sampan incident one of the most effective examples of how the authors' opinion of Kerry is substantiated?

(see the answer keys)

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