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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. Why doesn't Charlie see Molly or Thomas much after the Bertha incident?

2. What does Molly start doing after the fighting incident at school?

3. How does Thomas and Charlie get rid of food they did not like?

4. What does Molly predict when she reads Thomas, Charlie, and her future?

5. How does Grandma Wolf feel about Big Joe's favorite animal?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Describe Thomas and Charlie's poaching experience.

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

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

6. What happens to Bertha?

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

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

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

10. How does Thomas' father die?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in Private Peaceful.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Private Peaceful. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Private Peaceful. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

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 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.

(see the answer keys)

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