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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Caputo describe the descent of a helicopter?
(a) Like a run down a ski slope
(b) Like standing in a high wind
(c) Like a falling brick
(d) Like a roller coaster or a canoe rushing down the rapids

2. What is the change that takes place at Hill 327?
(a) The junior officers are all given new commands.
(b) More work is done during the night than in the day.
(c) The food improves with better suply lines.
(d) The plan changes from defensive to offensive.

3. After graduation from Loyola College, where does Caputo go?
(a) Quantico, VA
(b) Washington, D.C.
(c) Officers Basic School
(d) NCO School

4. What are Vietnamese children doing as the Marine trucks pass through the village called Dogpatch?
(a) Dancing on the edge of the dusty road
(b) Playing rock music on radios
(c) Begging for candy and cigarettes
(d) Throwing rocks at the trucks

5. What becomes of major importance to Caputo in those early days?
(a) Getting a Washington desk job
(b) Drinking and partying
(c) Getting the approval of his superiors
(d) Getting enough sleep

6. In this first offensive, how do Caputo and his men see themselves?
(a) As unprepared for combat
(b) As frightened school kids
(c) As boy scouts on a hike
(d) As knights in shining armor

7. What do they hear about right away?
(a) They hear that Saigon has fallen.
(b) They hear of a possible surrender of the Viet Cong.
(c) They hear that they will go to the front lines.
(d) They hear of death and paralysis for some soldiers.

8. What does Lemmon say they are trying to do while the Howies are strafing the area?
(a) Looking for the LZ
(b) Running for cover
(c) Rescue civilians
(d) Praying for rain

9. At what age does Philip Caputo enlist in the Marine Corps?
(a) 18
(b) 20
(c) 21
(d) 19

10. In the evening, why are the peasant girls rushing down the road to their village?
(a) They cannot find their way after dark.
(b) The rule is that Vietnamese outside after curfew are considered Viet Cong.
(c) they are frightened by the American Marines.
(d) The Viet Cong regularly passes that way in the darkness.

11. What change does Caputo notice in his men back at their position on the hill?
(a) They are withdrawn and wild-eyed.
(b) They have all truned gray haired.
(c) They have become even closer.
(d) They have grown apart and do not look at each other.

12. What does he imagine being in the military will be like?
(a) He enters the war with romantic notions of being a hero.
(b) He imagines it will be like taking a vacation.
(c) He thinks it will be frightening but he needs the money.
(d) He thinks it will be dull and routine.

13. How does Caputo see future life in the military?
(a) As an occasion for excitement and danger
(b) As financial security for the rest of his life
(c) As an easy way to make money
(d) As good training for surviving natural disasters

14. Why does boredom get replaced with terror on the outpost hill?
(a) A VC almost infiltrates the outpost.
(b) The fighting begins to move up the hill.
(c) Rock apes descend on the outpost.
(d) Enemy fighters fly overhead.

15. What occurs as Caputo walks through the elephant grass in the jungle?
(a) He comes face to face with a viet Cong.
(b) He walks up on an Asian elephant.
(c) He is almost shot by Lance Corporal Skates.
(d) He steps on a land mine that fortunately does not detonate.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Caputo speculate about in regard to mines remaining in an area where the RPs are supposed to have cleared them?

2. What happens when Caputo drinks with some Australian soldiers?

3. What do they experience on their first night?

4. What casualties are suffered during the next two days?

5. What does Caputo say he learns later about the war in Vietnam?

(see the answer keys)

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