View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Hazing occurred at what levels within the American military?
(a) At the middle and upper levels.
(b) At all levels.
(c) At the middle levels only.
(d) At the low-levels only.

2. According to the rumor about servicemen's food, why was a certain substance added to their food?
(a) To cause them to eat less.
(b) To dampen their sexual ardor.
(c) To drive them crazy in battle.
(d) To cause them to sleep less.

3. The author suggests that combat training replaces what other activity typical for young men?
(a) Work.
(b) Education.
(c) Dating.
(d) Organized sports.

4. Which of the following qualities of warfare does the author NOT suggest to be a contributing factor in military blunders?
(a) Chaos.
(b) Fluidity.
(c) Ruthlessness.
(d) Vastness.

5. How common was the use of alcohol as an anodyne?
(a) Frequent.
(b) Uncommon.
(c) Rare.
(d) Ubiquitous.

6. Most proponents of precision bombing suggested that it be used to destroy what enemy targets?
(a) Industry.
(b) Fortifications.
(c) Civilian populations.
(d) Ground troops.

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

8. According to the author, most of the well-known novels about WWII are really about what?
(a) Boredom.
(b) Petty hazing.
(c) Discipline.
(d) Officers.

9. The rumor about German sympathizers conveying intelligence to the enemy suggested that they were relaying what type of information?
(a) Troop movements.
(b) Artillery locations.
(c) Air strike flight plans.
(d) Troop locations.

10. Allegedly, agents working for the axis spread what rumor?
(a) Soldiers' wives were unfaithful.
(b) French women all bore venereal diseases.
(c) The Oder river had never been crossed by an invading force.
(d) German soldiers ate metal shavings with their food.

11. The airman discussed in one example of military blunders, and who was killed by English soldiers, belonged to what allied nation?
(a) Poland.
(b) Sweden.
(c) France.
(d) Morocco.

12. Rumors about the axis frequently dealt with what subject?
(a) Their atrocities.
(b) Their combat prowess.
(c) Their tenacity.
(d) Their superior weaponry.

13. How were military blunders usually treated in official reports?
(a) They were filed confidentially.
(b) They were meticulously analyzed.
(c) They were censored.
(d) They were omitted or distorted.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the stereotype about Chinese troops, they could survive indefinitely if provided with what?

2. How important was a rumor's accuracy and predictive success for its tendency to spread?

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

4. One rumor suggested that German sympathizers used what animal to convey intelligence to the enemy?

5. What term does the author not use as an example of vocabulary intended to demean enlisted men?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 487 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample