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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 the German soldier tell Thomas when he aims a gun to Thomas' head?

2. Where is Thomas' company sent next?

3. Where are Thomas, Charlie, Hanley, and a dozen or so other men?

4. What does Thomas wonder when they are first in the German's lines?

5. How old does the Army think Thomas is?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is in the bunker and what does Sergeant Hanley order his men to do?

2. How does Thomas react to Molly's being married to Charlie?

3. What are Charlie and Thomas' company told to do one day?

4. Describe the fighting that occurs after the bombardment stops.

5. What news does Molly announce and how does Charlie respond?

6. Why is Molly at Charlie and Thomas' house one day when they return from work and what has she brought with her?

7. What is the front line like?

8. What is the new assignment at Wipers like?

9. What does Thomas do on his one day of leave and why does that leave him feeling empty inside?

10. What happens to Charlie when they return to their own lines?

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

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 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in Private Peaceful. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Morpurgo chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Morpurgo chooses the metaphors he does?

3. Discuss Morpurgo's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Morpurgo use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

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