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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. What does Helen find as she is returning to her apartment?

2. Why is Saigon in chaos?

3. What does Mr. Bao know about Linh?

4. How does Linh feel when he sees a picture of Helen and Darrow on Darrow's table?

5. Why is Helen stopped in the street?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Helen meet Darrow and what happens when she does?

2. How did Linh end up working for Sam Darrow?

3. What was Linh's life like before he was drafted into the army?

4. What is Helen's first assignment from Gary?

5. What happens when Linh meets his first American?

6. How does Helen survive in Saigon without Darrow?

7. Who does Helen meet at the river and what do they discuss?

8. What happens to Linh after Helen leaves him and what does Linh think about the events of the day?

9. Who does Helen meet in the Special Forces and what does she learn from him and what happens to him?

10. How does Helen finally get to be seen like one of the boys?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is true that Helen is addicted to war. She liked Vietnam upon arrival. Her family connection had brought her from the U.S. to the country at the beginning of the war. Others, such as Darrow, did not take her seriously at first, partly because many people were interested in seeing what was going on but few had the guts or wherewithal to understand or brave the real action. Besides, Helen was a young female and did not have the tarnish like many of the professionals that worked in the country.

Helen manages to keep at least some of her optimism. In many ways she does seem to be charmed. Many wonder if her risks and sacrifices are worth the pay off. In Helen's mind, there are no choices. She must stay in Saigon until the very last moment. Helen believes that she will survive.

1. Do you think someone can be addicted to war? Why or why not? Do you think Helen is? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your reasoning.

2. Discuss the various ways in which Helen is discriminated against because she is a woman. Include your opinion as to whether a female reporter in Iraq today would have the same problems. Use examples from your own life and the book to support your reasoning.

3. Do you think the risks Helen takes indicates she has some sort of death wish or that she might be mentally unstable or do you think the risks is worth the photographs? Use examples from your own life and the book to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Lotus Eaters help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Lotus Eaters? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Lotus Eaters to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in The Lotus Eaters? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in The Lotus Eaters including why you believe it is foreshadowing. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from The Lotus Eaters and your own live to support your opinion.

(see the answer keys)

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