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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 Thomas see hanging from a fence?

2. What do Molly and Charlie both do?

3. What does Charlie refuse to tell the Colonel?

4. How many years of yesterdays and tomorrows does Thomas Peaceful have?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Thomas and Charlie's poaching experience.

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

5. What effect does Charlie taking Bertha have on his relationship with Molly?

6. How has Molly changed when she visits on Christmas Eve and how does Thomas feel about her?

7. What do Charlie, Thomas, and Molly do when one of the mice is caught and killed?

8. What does Big Joe ask his mother about heaven and what is her response?

9. How does Thomas' father die?

10. What does Charlie do when he sees Thomas in a fight with Jimmy Parsons and what happens to the boys who are fighting?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character and wonder 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 Private Peaceful help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading Private Peaceful? Why or why not.

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

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