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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 happens in the next minute after the German soldier sees the English?

2. What does Thomas think at first as they fire at the oncoming Germans?

3. Who does Thomas notice in town recruiting for the war?

4. What is Thomas told back at the hospital?

5. How does Charlie feel about what Molly tells him?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the new assignment at Wipers like?

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

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

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

6. How do Charlie, Thomas, and the rest of the regiment feel about the war during training?

7. What happens when they encounter a German soldier in the German trenches?

8. Where are Charlie and Thomas sent and why are they glad at first?

9. What does the Colonel demand and how does he threaten Charlie's family?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in Private Peaceful. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in Private Peaceful. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of war and peace in Private Peaceful. Would Private Peaceful be considered an anti-war book? How was war portrayed? How were the men who fought in the war portrayed? Were soldiers or war glorified or demonized? Was war and peace the main theme of Private Peaceful? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Thomas sees a dead crow hanging from the fence. The crow reminds Thomas of his father's death. Thomas's father used to take Thomas out into the woods with him in the mornings to cut timber. Thomas would play in the woods while his father worked. One day, Thomas was playing in the woods and a tree almost fell on him. Thomas' father yells at him to run, but Thomas is scared and can't run. Thomas' father runs to him and throws him out of the way of the falling tree. The tree crushes Thomas' father, killing him instantly. At the funeral, Thomas keeps his terrible secret. If Thomas had only run when his father told him to, his father would still be alive. Thomas feels that he killed his father.

1. Discuss the implications or the situation of a father taking a very young boy with him when cutting timber, a very dangerous job even for adults. Why do you think the father did this? Why might the mother have allowed it? What does this say about the difference between the early 1900s and the present? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

2. Discuss some of the ways in which Mr. Peaceful's death affected Thomas for the rest of his life. Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

3. Discuss the differences with which Thomas' family handled his father's death compared to how it might be done today. For example, is it more likely now that if a very young boy witnesses his father's death the boy would be taken to counseling? What other differences might occur? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

4. Why do you think the dead crow reminded Thomas of his father's death? Use examples from your own life and Private Peaceful to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Private Peaceful based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Private Peaceful is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Private Peaceful a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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