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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. When Tyson is leaving his house, what does his limousine driver tell him?

2. When Tyson's wife arrives home the day Tyson first learns of the book, what does Tyson's wife find him doing?

3. In the second interview with the government investigator, who does Tyson admit to knowing prior to the events at the hospital?

4. What is the name of one of the sources cited by Andrew Picard for his book?

5. On the military base, who is Tyson's immediate supervisor?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to what Tyson confides to Levin during their meeting, how did Tyson come to feel during his time in Vietnam?

2. When Tyson tells Marcy that they need a new car, why does Marcy tell him the car purchase is unwise?

3. According to what Picard tells Ben Tyson, why does Picard confide that he probably should not have used the chapter about the hospital massacre?

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

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

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

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

8. Why do Berg, Truscott, and Van Arken decide to go after Tyson instead of the enlisted men?

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

10. Why does Tyson object to the radius in which Tyson's travel is restricted to while he lives on the military base?

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

Marcy Tyson has been by Ben's side throughout this entire crisis. Yet, as the court martial approaches, Marcy announces that she is going back to work and has a business trip scheduled for the date of the court martial. Why does Marcy want to go back to work? What makes this decision different from Ben's point of view? Do you agree with Marcy's decision? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Steven Brandt seems to be a man who is supremely confident in his ability to come out on top. Identify at least three instances from the story that highlight his confidence. How is Brandt helped by his utter confidence? How is Brandt hurt by his confidence? Provide examples of each.

(see the answer keys)

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