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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. How long does it take to bring a new suit from cold to hot?

2. Which subject does Rico not like?

3. Who does Rico's father say he is envious of?

4. Who invites Rico to a night out on the town?

5. What is Rico ordered not to hunt?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the OCS.

2. What does Rico overhear Zim and Hendrick saying?

3. What does Frankel order Zim to do?

4. Why are the recruits more shocked at a flogging than seeing death?

5. How does Rico deal with the shakes in the final chapter?

6. Why does the army want to punish Dillinger?

7. Describe Rico's meeting with Carmencita.

8. Summarize the story.

9. What does Rico realize about his new life when he visits Vancouver?

10. What are Rasczak's and Jelal's roles aboard the Rodger Young?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How will Rico's character change now he is becoming more disciplined as a person? Would Rico have leaned discipline if he had gone to Harvard University instead of the army? Do the students think such discipline is necessary for everyday life? How will Rico cope once he is back in society?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the values of 1950s America.

1) Why was spirituality finding oneself such an issue during this time?

2) In what ways are the characters' negative characteristics a product of their time? Do you think America was going through a transitional phase in the fifties? What significant changes do you think occurred during this period?

3) Does modern society share any values with fifties America?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Heinlein's representation of sergeants in fiction. Is he a typical sergeant in fiction? Do you think Heinlein's representation of Zim was influential? What other similar sergeants can they think of? How realistic do you think Heinlein's portrayal of a sergeant is?

(see the answer keys)

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