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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 hanging on the peg that used to be for Thomas and Charlie's father's coat?

2. On what day does Thomas say he was born?

3. What caused most of the casualties?

4. What is Thomas told back at the hospital?

5. Who pulls Thomas out?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What happens when the next wave of shelling stops?

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

5. What is the new assignment at Wipers like?

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

7. While in Wipers, what does the company do for two whole days?

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

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

10. What does Thomas wait for for a night and day and what is the outcome?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadow? How many incidences of foreshadow are in Private Peaceful? How does foreshadow contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in Private Peaceful including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from Private Peaceful and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Private Peaceful, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Private Peaceful. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Thomas and Charlie. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Charlie and the Colonel. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems a more well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in Private Peaceful help drive the plot and identify their contribution is to the story line. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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