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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. Of what does the thing hanging from the fence remind Thomas?
2. Why is Big Joe happy about Thomas and Charlie's conspiracy concerning food at meals?
3. Where does Grandma Wolf move?
4. What does Thomas learn how to do at school?
5. What does Big Joe after Bertha's burial?
Short Essay Questions
1. What precipitates a fight at school between Thomas and Jimmy Parsons?
2. What does Big Joe do after Bertha's funeral and why isn't anyone worried?
3. At the novel's opening, what does Thomas Peaceful want to remember this night?
4. What is life like when Grandma Wolf comes to live at the boys' home?
5. What do Charlie, Thomas, and Molly do when one of the mice is caught and killed?
6. What animal does Big Joe love and who does not share his enthusiasm for the creatures?
7. Where do they bury Bertha and why kind of funeral does she receive?
8. How do Molly and Charlie gradually become distanced from Thomas and what is Thomas' response?
9. How does Big Joe feel about food and what is his favorite food?
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
The men and officer of the firing squad do not want to kill Charlie, but they know their orders. After Charlie's death, everyone mourns him. Thomas is glad to find that Sergeant Hanley was killed, but his happiness is short lived. That horrible man has finally gotten what they all felt that he deserved, but Thomas is upset that it came too late to save Charlie. He hopes that Charlie knows that Hanley is dead, as it might give him a slight comfort. After saying good bye to his brother for the last time, Thomas feels as if a part of him has died with Charlie.
1. Do you think the men in the firing squad should have obeyed the order to kill Charlie? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.
2. Do you think Hanley being killed was a just exchange for the sergeant basically being responsible for Charlie's death? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.
3. What do you think is the difference between socialization in the early 1900s and the present time that a soldier would be shot and killed for disobeying a dangerous and stupid order? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.
Essay Topic 2
Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:
1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Did Private Peaceful ending on a less than happy note affect your perception or enjoyment of the book? Why or why not?
2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Private Peaceful and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Private Peaceful is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.
3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?
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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This section contains 1,156 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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