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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 does Finny say he deplores?

2. What is Finny's response to Gene's visit?

3. Who interrupts one of Gene's training sessions?

4. Finny says he can detect conspiracy and others can not because he has ____________.

5. Who is the writer of the telegram?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Finny decide to do in order to pass the time in the winter?

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

5. Why does Finny suddenly begin to believe that the war is real?

6. How does Finny response when Gene sneaks in to visit him?

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

8. What do the students do when Finny falls down the stairs?

9. What does Brinker say to Gene about his new living situation?

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

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

The idea of the war and enlisting seems to be on every boy's mind as they progress through the novel.

Part 1: List the characters who state they want to enlist in the war effort.

Part 2: Which of these characters actually do enlist in the war effort?

Part 3: What does the act of enlisting seem to symbolize for the boys in this story?

(see the answer keys)

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