View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. "Nothing endures, not a ________, not love, not even death by violence."

2. What seems distant and unreal in a time of war?

3. What does Finny think Gene is still afraid of?

4. Who is the narrator of this story?

5. Does Gene tell anyone about Finny's broken record?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Gene and Finny decide to try another double jump from the branch?

2. What does Finny convince Gene they should do before they head back to Devon?

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

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

5. What does Gene do one night that leads him to conclude he "will never stumble through the confusions of [his] own character again?"

6. Compare and contrast Brinker and Leper.

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

8. What seemed so much larger to Gene, as told by him, when he was younger as opposed to now?

9. Why does Mr. Prud'homme come into Gene and Finny's room the next morning?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While Gene continues to feel upset about Finny's accident, it seems that even though he is 'cleared' of his charges and Finny never seems to blame him, the 'sin' follows him.

Part 1: Do you feel that Gene sinned? Was his bouncing of the branch done out of hatred? Support your answer.

Part 2: Does Gene ever find a sense of redemption? Why or why not?

Part 3: What does Finny's fall represent in this novel? What does it have to say about growing up?

Essay Topic 2

Finny's fall becomes the focus of the story, and one that affects each of the characters in a different way.

Part 1: Describe the events that led up to Finny's accident.

Part 2: How is Finny affected by the fall? Compare and contrast his personality before and after the fall.

Part 3: How is Gene affected by Finny's fall? Compare and contrast his personality and actions before and after the fall.

Essay Topic 3

While Gene is the narrator of the story, it seems most of the action and reaction in the story is related to Finny.

Part 1: Why is Gene the more important character in this novel?

Part 2: Why doesn't Finny make sense as the main character in this book?

Part 3: Is there another character you feel is even more important? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 648 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample