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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 disease does Molly contract?

2. How does Grandma Wolf feel about Big Joe's favorite animal?

3. What does Charlie promise Thomas?

4. What is Thomas doing when he makes a friend at school?

5. What does Thomas do after graduating from school?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Thomas and Charlie's poaching experience.

2. Why is Thomas glad to be working at the same farm as Charlie?

3. What happens to Bertha?

4. How does Thomas' father die?

5. At the novel's opening, what does Thomas Peaceful want to remember this night?

6. Why is Charlie upset by the Colonels plans for Bertha and what does he do to thwart those plans?

7. How does Thomas and Charlie get rid of the food they do not like?

8. What happens when the Colonel arrives at the cottage the morning after Charlie steals Bertha?

9. What animal does Big Joe love and who does not share his enthusiasm for the creatures?

10. What does Big Joe ask his mother about heaven and what is her response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Oftentimes, a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think Private Peaceful is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of Private Peaceful, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in Private Peaceful. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss Private Peaceful based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Private Peaceful is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider Private Peaceful a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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