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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 is Sergeant Hanely's nickname?

2. Who does Charlie carry on his back to their lines?

3. Who does Thomas go to see on leave?

4. What does Hanley tell his men?

5. What do Charlie, Thomas, and the rest of the trainees think of the war during boot camp?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the front line like?

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

3. What happens when Thomas arrives in France?

4. What is the new assignment at Wipers like?

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

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

7. How does Thomas experience some of the gas and what happens when a German soldier sees Thomas?

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

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

10. What happens to Thomas in the German bunker and who pulls him out?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Characters are an important part of what makes Private Peaceful interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Charlie. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he always likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Molly. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Thomas. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of interesting questions raised by Private Peaceful. Questions that Morpurgo most likely wants readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Morpurgo' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Morpurgo' probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Morpurgo and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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