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 natural landmark is on the island?

2. In Part 2, Chapter 9, what bad news does Gallagher receive?

3. What ulterior motive does Cummings have for his relationship with Hearn?

4. Why is Cummings upset about when reviewing the air operations reports?

5. In the beginning of Part 2, Chapter 5, what is Roth dreaming of when Minetta woke him up?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is Cummings use of the destroyer unnecessary?

2. What is learned about Cummings sexuality in Part 2, Chapter 6 and what leads to this conclusion?

3. How does Hearn's insecurity show in Part 3, Chapter 2?

4. What does the descriptive text imply about the tone of the opening scene of chapter 1?

5. In Part 2, Chapter 5, for the first time Croft realizes that he is afraid. What are the circumstances for this realization?

6. Why does Red reject Hearn's offer to be promoted to corporal?

7. In the end what was the total death count?

8. Why were the soldiers in so much shock when Hearn is shot?

9. What do the soldiers carry on their backs through the jungle and how much does it weigh?

10. As the men continue to build the road, what thoughts begin to cross their minds and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explore the history of this novel. Research the period of WWII and write an essay that answers the following:

1) What is the significance of this time period?

2) In your opinion, do you think the story would have had the same meaning if written in a different time period?

3) What effect did this novel have on the general public at this time it was published?

Essay Topic 2

Some authors will write based on experience and may at time identify with one of the characters in their stories. Research the life of Norma Mailer to answer the following question: do you think Mailer is like any of the characters in his story? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Red comes from a poor family and appears to have had a difficult life. As a child there were many things about life that Red did not understand, however, this changes as he becomes an adult, specifically, during his time in the Army.

1) How does Red's time on the ship prior to getting to the island relate to his childhood memories?

2) How does this time help him understand these memories?

3) Through Red's reflections, do you think he learns anything about him self during the war?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 714 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample