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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. Brinker says that Gene might have a _______ in not clearing up the details of Finny's accident.

2. What did Leper want to avoid by leaving the army?

3. Who is the writer of the telegram?

4. Leper insists that Gene must think he is a __________.

5. Who is impressed with the influence it must have taken Gene to get a room all to himself?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Gene and Leper get into an argument, what does Leper accuse Gene of?

2. What does Gene offer as an explanation for his disheveled appearance when Finny returns?

3. What does Gene conclude about Leper's admittance that he escaped?

4. What do Gene and the other boys volunteer to do to support the war effort?

5. When the students of Devon are looking at different options for military recruitment, what is guiding their decision?

6. What does Brinker do as a result of Leper's enlistment?

7. What was the result of Finny's accident this time?

8. What does Gene realize about Finny as he is being carried away by the others?

9. Why does Leper decide to enlist in the war?

10. What is Leper's explanation for his desertion of the Army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The tree by the river is the site of many victories and one foreboding accident. Juxtaposing nature with tragedy seems to cause the reader to react more strongly than they might have had the accident occurred in another setting.

Part 1: What might the symbolism of the tree mean in the story? What might the tree represent to the characters and to the plot?

Part 2: Describe the victories that occur at the place of the tree.

Part 3: How does the tree affect each of the main characters in this novel?

Essay Topic 2

It's interesting to note that parents aren't mentioned often in this story - only Brinker's dad and Leper's mother are introduced fully.

Part 1: Describe Brinker's father.

Part 2: Describe Leper's mother.

Part 3: What do these characters seem to say about the differences between the older and the younger generations?

Essay Topic 3

The perception of the war is one that seems to change during the novel as well as fluctuate from the start to the finish of the novel.

Part 1: List the people in the novel who support the war. How do they show this support?

Part 2: List the people in the novel who do not support the war. How do they show their displeasure?

Part 3: What do you think the boys think of the war in general? Is this a 'good' or a 'bad' war? Support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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