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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 did Leper want to avoid by leaving the army?

2. Whose memory is considered to be perfect?

3. Finny and Gene say that wouldn't enlist with Brinker if he were ___________'s son.

4. Who does Gene spend more time with?

5. Who is accused of being a naturalist?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does the cryptic telegram reveal?

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

4. What does Finny do during the snowball fight with Gene and the others?

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

6. What eventually happens when the boys realize what Finny is doing in #49?

7. Where is the secret Christmas Location that Leper refers to?

8. What does Gene note when he is making up Finny's bed for him?

9. Describe the scene in the Butt Room.

10. Why do the boys ridicule Quackenbush?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Competition seems to be another large theme in this book, with the boys competing with each other for anything and everything they can.

Part 1: List three specific competitions the boys engage in.

Part 2: What does the competitive nature of Gene and Finny say about their friendship?

Part 3: Why do you think the author made Gene the one that excels in academics while Finny excels in sports?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

The scene when Finny and Gene are on the beach playing hooky is a touching one, though it seems while it is very important to both boys, the reactions are different from what the reader expects.

Part 1: Describe what happens between Gene and Finny when they are on the beach.

Part 2: Why can't Gene respond to Finny's statement?

Part 3: What does this scene seem to reveal to Gene (and to the reader) about Finny?

(see the answer keys)

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