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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 secret does Thomas keep?

2. What does Big Joe ask his mother?

3. Where does Big Joe keep his new pet?

4. What disease does Molly contract?

5. Why does Thomas' father sometimes take Thomas into the woods?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Why is Charlie upset by the Colonels plans for Bertha and what does he do to thwart those plans?

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

8. Describe Thomas and Charlie's poaching experience.

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

10. Of what does the dead crow remind Thomas?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Over the course of Private Peaceful, Thomas grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. Private Peaceful might be considered a slice of Thomas's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that Private Peaceful is a "bildungsroman" of Thomas Peaceful. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Thomas as he changes from a more carefree, innocent boy to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Thomas?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Thomas's growth throughout Private Peaceful, do you think Private Peaceful could be considered Thomas's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in Private Peaceful who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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