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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. Who ruminates about what it means to be an American during a time of intense war rationed?

2. Who calls Gene while he is at school?

3. Who becomes angry at Finny's diagnosis?

4. Where do the boys go when they realize how late they are?

5. What does Gene notice that seems much smaller than it used to?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened to Finny as a result of the fall from the branch?

2. When Gene is working hard to catch up on his trigonometry, what does Finny accuse him of?

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

4. What does Gene remember as he pauses near the river on his way to an appointment at the Crew House?

5. As Gene and Finny are getting ready to sleep on the beach, what does Finny reveal to Gene?

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

7. What does Gene realize about the rivalry between Finny and himself?

8. What is Finny's mistake that he makes when having tea with the substitute headmaster Mr. Patch-Wilders?

9. What does the doctor say about the outcome of Finny's injury?

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

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)

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