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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. What are the enlisted men offered in exchange for their testimony against Tyson?

2. What is the name of the man Tyson goes outside to meet, while having dinner with Marcy?

3. What is the name of the man who quietly suggests that Tyson should leave the country?

4. After Tyson's platoon pulled back after being pinned down by enemy fire, where did the platoon meet up with a larger platoon?

5. When Tyson goes home, what does he discover?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Marcy object to the company's offer to relocate Tyson?

2. After leaving Picard's house, Ben almost loses his life. What happens?

3. When Tyson and his wife attend a party, what new feeling does Tyson experience at the party?

4. Why is Ben Tyson afraid of following the advice given to him by his attorney just after Tyson learns of the book's existence?

5. According to Levin, why will Tyson be held to a higher standard for his actions in Vietnam than others will be?

6. When Tyson and his wife attend his party, what new feeling does Tyson's wife experience?

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

8. As Tyson and his military attorney talk, describe the military attorney's attitude regarding war stories.

9. According to the book about the events in Vietnam, why was an Australian killed?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Steven Brandt wears different masks in the story. Identify, then compare and contrast the different sides of Steven Brandt. How would the entire plot have been affected if Brandt had not been successful at deceiving those around him, especially Andrew Picard? Why is it necessary for Brandt to wear different masks? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

The theme of loyalty is evident throughout the novel. Ben Tyson's loyalties, for instance, lie with himself, his family, and his platoon, and he refuses to divulge information regarding the hospital massacre because of that loyalty. Discuss how the theme of loyalty is portrayed through the eyes of Marcy Tyson, Andrew Picard, Richard Farley, and Vincent Corva. Support your observations.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the Andrew Picard character at the beginning of the book when his book is first published. What is Picard's motivation for publishing the book? What drives him? Then, discuss this same character when he meets and gets to know Ben Tyson, the subject of the most controversial chapter of Picard's book. What is Picard's motivation then? What is driving him? How do the events in the story change Picard's character? Who is Andrew Picard at the end of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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