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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. One of the men falls ___ feet and stops breathing.

2. How many American soldiers are injured during this particular confrontation?

3. Downs begins to question the military's _____ in regards to fighting the enemy.

4. What unfortunate incident happens to Downs when he must face an enemy.

5. The soldier manages to dive behind a ____ to keep from being shot.

Short Essay Questions

1. Where is the Tam Ky province? How is it similar to the old base camp outside Duc Pho?

2. How and why is Downs rewarded for his actions in the field?

3. What incident takes place involving the seven civilians? What is the attitude of the soldiers on both sides?

4. How does Downs win the battle with the NVA soldier?

5. Who arrives to assist the soldiers? What happens during the operation?

6. What are some of Downs' ongoing complaints regarding the ARVN?

7. Explain the trip to the area around the Tam Ky province. What is the general atmosphere of the area.

8. Explain Downs' escape and the attack on the other men.

9. Discuss Downs' state of mind at this stage of the war. What objections does Downs have about the way the mission is being operated?

10. Sells sends Downs and his men on a foot patrol. Where does Sells send the men? What change has there been in personnel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a short story or essay from the point of view of Downs as he reminisces about his championship shooting awards and accolades earned throughout his military career. How did Downs' views change over the years?

Essay Topic 2

Closely examine the various types of weapons used and mentioned throughout the story. What types of weapons were most commonly used? Which were the most popular for snipers and scouts? For soldiers? For members of the infantry? Which weapons were found to be ineffectual? Which weapons might still be used today in a military operation? How do the weapons used in the military compare to those used by individuals?

Essay Topic 3

Downs was among a long line of other soldiers wounded in the line of duty. Examine and discuss various types of wounds that are mentioned in the book. How were the majority of the wounds inflicted? What is the standard treatment of a non-serious wound? What is the standard treatment for a potentially fatal wound? Who attends to the soldiers when they are wounded? How common is it for doctors to be present and to take care of the wounds? When doctors are not around, who performs the work?

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