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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. American's believed that what typically American resource would allow them to win the war?
(a) Know-how.
(b) Industry.
(c) Individualism.
(d) Improvisation.

2. According to the author, what was the typical age of a soldier for the allies in WWII?
(a) Twenty-one.
(b) Twenty.
(c) Twenty-two.
(d) Nineteen.

3. The author compares military training to which of the following?
(a) Police force training.
(b) A crucible.
(c) Public school.
(d) The classic Greek gymnasium.

4. Why did enlisted men require an "anodyne"?
(a) To deal with the loss of friends.
(b) To make up for their low self-images.
(c) To provide a distraction.
(d) To cope with the stresses of warfare.

5. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons that armies historically favored younger soldiers?
(a) They are physically fit.
(b) They are obedient.
(c) They are aggressive.
(d) They do not question the war's irrationality.

6. What drink did American troops generally prefer?
(a) Bourban.
(b) Gin.
(c) Rum.
(d) Whiskey.

7. At the beginning of World War II, aerial combat was regarded as exemplifying what obsolescent ideal?
(a) Single combat.
(b) Dueling.
(c) Honor.
(d) Chivalry.

8. How old were axis soldiers compared to allied soldiers?
(a) About the same age.
(b) Slightly younger.
(c) No accurate records exist for the axis.
(d) Slightly older.

9. In the iconic pre-war image discussed in Chapter 1, what are the soldiers towing?
(a) A light field-piece.
(b) Ammunition and supplies.
(c) Heavy artillery.
(d) A destroyed enemy vehicle.

10. According to the author, the hazing of enlisted men by officers would best be described as which of the following?
(a) Pervasive.
(b) Official policy.
(c) Uncommon.
(d) Rare.

11. According to one rumor, female axis agents were sent to the allies with what?
(a) Concealable radios.
(b) Bombs.
(c) Poison lipstick.
(d) Venereal diseases.

12. How was the self-image of an individual soldier treated?
(a) As a nuisance.
(b) With interest only from his squad mates.
(c) As being totally irrelevant.
(d) With contempt.

13. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that most contemporaneous war histories depicted military blunders?
(a) Benign.
(b) Funny.
(c) Costly.
(d) Rare.

14. According to the author, what was the unstated purpose of the use of inveterate profanity?
(a) To differentiate officers and enlisted men.
(b) To set officers apart since only they could use it.
(c) To create camaraderie between officers and enlisted men.
(d) To demean enlisted men.

15. Soldiers in their thirties were often called what?
(a) Old man.
(b) Gramps.
(c) Grizzly.
(d) Pop.

Short Answer Questions

1. The author suggests that before the outbreak of war, the American military was prepared for what type of performance?

2. What belief about the Japanese caused Americans to think that their war with Japan would end quickly?

3. Italians were considered to prefer which of the following to war?

4. The presentation of the war by state and public media is best described as which of the following?

5. Heavy drinking and womanizing caused problems for the army in what area?

(see the answer keys)

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