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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 does Thomas feel towards Molly when he see her on Christmas Eve?

2. What does Thomas do after graduating from school?

3. Who holds a gun on the boys?

4. Why might Big Joe be more upset than the family realizes?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Thomas and Charlie arrive at school on Thomas' first day of school?

2. Where do they bury Bertha and why kind of funeral does she receive?

3. Who searches for Big Joe and where do they find him?

4. What is the story of the harvest mouse?

5. What punishment does the Colonel mete out to the boys and how does their mother amend the punishment?

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

7. What happens when the Colonel arrives at the cottage the morning after Charlie steals Bertha?

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

9. Describe Thomas and Charlie's poaching experience.

10. What future does Molly read in the gravel for her and the boys.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in Private Peaceful? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Private Peaceful including why you believe it is foreshadow. 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 Private Peaceful and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an important part of what makes Private Peaceful interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Charlie. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Molly. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Thomas. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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