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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 say Big Joe used to eat?

2. Where does Grandma Wolf move?

3. What do Molly and Charlie both do?

4. Who beats up Thomas?

5. Why do Molly's parents forbid her to see Charlie after the incident with Bertha?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does the boys' situation change for the better after the Colonel's wife dies?

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

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

6. At the novel's opening, what does Thomas Peaceful want to remember this night?

7. How does Big Joe feel about food and what is his favorite food?

8. How do Charlie and Thomas thwart Grandma Wolf's attempts to get rid of the mice?

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

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

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

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.

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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