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. What trials was the noted military law professor involved in?

2. What kind of platoon was Tyson's platoon?

3. On the military base, what is Tyson's assigned position?

4. How does David spend most of his time at the summer cottage?

5. What type of building did Tyson's platoon attack, according to the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Ben and Marcy meet with Levin after Levin has read Harper's official report. Based on that report, what does Levin share with Ben and Marcy?

2. As Ben Tyson sees the book detailing the activities of his platoon in Vietnam, what does Tyson suddenly realize?

3. Describe the situation that Picard shares with Ben Tyson as an example of one of Picard's "bad light" experiences.

4. Why does Tyson refuse to call for those members of his platoon who are still alive to come to his defense?

5. When being questioned by the government investigator, Tyson realizes that his story is full of holes, but sticks to it anyway. Why?

6. Why do the charges against Tyson make a distinction between Orientals and Caucasians?

7. When Tyson and Marcy go to the officer's club to have dinner, why is Tyson rude to the person he introduces to Marcy?

8. After hearing the charges against him, what fact does Tyson point out that makes him feel that charges should never have been filed?

9. How does the Lieutenant Colonel try to comfort Tyson when Tyson objects to the travel restriction?

10. When Tyson meets with the man who quietly suggests that Tyson leave the country, how does that meeting end?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many ways, the novel is a series of contrasts designed to heighten the reader's awareness and draw the reader deeper into the story and the intricacies of each of the story's characters. Identify at least three contrasts that are used in the novel. Describe these contrasts and determine how they impact the story's plot, as well as the reader's emotional involvement in the characters' lives. If these identified contrasts were not included in the story, what impact would their absence have on the storyline, the characters' development, and the readers' involvement?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast Steven Brandt and Richard Farley.

a. How are the two characters similar? How are they different?

b. Compare the reasons each man had for breaking the code of silence and sharing their stories with Andrew Picard. What did each man have to gain? To lose?

c. How does the decision to come forward affect each character - both positively and negatively?

Essay Topic 3

The author uses several different literary techniques as the story is told in regards to the story's flow. Describe the techniques of both flashbacks and foreshadowing. How are each of these techniques used in the story? Give specific examples of each technique. Why might the author have chosen to use both of these techniques in the story? Was the story enhanced by the use of these two techniques? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 870 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample