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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. Where does Gene have an appointment?

2. Who calls Gene while he is at school?

3. Who is Gene's new boss?

4. How many students are in the first chapel service at Devon?

5. How much money do the boys look for to spend on breakfast?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the four boys that are with Gene as he stands by the tree?

2. What does Finny convince Gene to do that is forbidden by the school?

3. What is one of the main rules for the secret club that Finny and Gene have created?

4. After Gene leaps from the branch into the water, how does Finny respond?

5. What does Finny decide to do in celebration of the first Allied bombing of Central Europe?

6. What happens as Gene loses his balance on the branch with Finny?

7. What does Gene fear Finny is trying to do when Finny tries to waste Gene's time?

8. Who is the narrator of "A Separate Peace"?

9. What sport does Finny think is a horrible addition to the summer athletics program?

10. What does Finny say when Gene asks him what he remembers about the fall?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a vast difference in the personalities of the boys between the Summer and Fall sessions.

Part 1: Compare and contrast the rules at Devon at the Summer and Fall Sessions.

Part 2: How do the characters change between these two sessions?

Part 3: What does the change between these two sessions seem to symbolize in reference to the time period and the characters?

Essay Topic 2

It is Gene who feels responsible for Finny's fall, and the guilt follows him throughout the book.

Part 1: What happened to case Gene's guilt about Finny's fall?

Part 2: Do you think Gene caused Finny to fall? Why or why not?

Part 3: Even though Finny tells Gene that it wasn't his fault, why can't Gene let go of his guilt?

Essay Topic 3

Leper is certainly a compelling character in this novel, causing the reader to be diverted from the stories of Finny and Gene from time to time.

Part 1: Why do you think Leper got his nickname? What does this seem to say about his personality and reputation?

Part 2: Why do you think Leper is a significant character in this story? What is his purpose in the story?

Part 3: Is Leper a sympathetic character? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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