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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 do Charlie and Thomas thwart Grandma's scheme to rid the house of Big Joe's "pets"?

2. What punishment does the Colonel decide to mete out?

3. What does Molly give Big Joe for his birthday?

4. What does Thomas usually forgo while at school?

5. Who figures out where Big Joe is?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the boys' situation change for the better after the Colonel's wife dies?

2. At the novel's opening, who is Thomas Peaceful with and why is he determined not to sleep?

3. How do Molly and Charlie gradually become distanced from Thomas and what is Thomas' response?

4. At the novel's opening, what does Thomas Peaceful want to remember this night?

5. What does Thomas remember about his first day of school?

6. Why is the punishment not so bad and how do the boy mark the end of their punishment period?

7. How do Charlie and Jimmy react to being caned and what does Thomas feel about Charlie?

8. What animal does Big Joe love and who does not share his enthusiasm for the creatures?

9. How does Big Joe feel about food and what is his favorite food?

10. Why is Thomas glad to be working at the same farm as Charlie?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Private Peaceful, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Private Peaceful. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Michael Morpurgo.

2. What in Morpurgo's background may have helped him in writing Private Peaceful? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Big Joe had meningitis when he was a baby and the doctors said that he would never be of any use to anyone. Despite this fact, Big Joe did indeed get better over time, just not all the way. He knew things, and was very caring, generous, and loving, but he simply couldn't understand everything he saw. While most people called Big Joe crazy or stupid, Thomas and Charlie and their mother just called him special. They also judged people by their reactions to Big Joe. If someone ignored him, called him stupid, or talked to him like he was an idiot, then they knew that that person wasn't worth knowing. If, on the other hand, people treated Big Joe well, and could get along with him, then the rest of the family would like them just for that.

1. There have been many incidences of doctors making predictions even in modern times that do not come true. Do you think the doctors should have voiced the prognosis they had of Big Joe? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

2. Discuss the importance of Big Joe's personality compared to his intellectual capacity. Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

3. Do you think Big Joe's family placed too much emphasis on how people reacted to Big Joe? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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