10th Grade Summer Reading
Assignment 2015
Summer Reading Assignment: When you return in September, you will begin the year with a
study of John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace. There are two parts to this assignment. Both
assignments must be submitted on the day you return to school.
If you have any questions or concerns about the assignment during the course of the
summer, the assignment will also be posted on the school website on the Elmont Memorial
High School homepage.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Summer Reading Assignment: When you return in September, you will begin the year with a
study of John Knowles’ novel, A Separate Peace. There are two parts to this assignment. Both
assignments must be submitted on the day you return to school.
1. You will begin with a cooperative activity in which you will explore the novel as a
member of a group. In order to contribute to your group immediately, you will bring
your completed preliminary findings to your group as you share views on the following
matters. You were left a certain amount of space for each question—please answer
in as much detail as possible (also, be sure to write the page or page #’s where you
found your answer and/or quote on the space provided).
2. Pre-AP Essay question= Respond to the following question in a four-paragraph essay.
This essay may be typed or handwritten (if you type it, it must be double-spaced, Times
New Roman, 12 pt. font; if you write it on loose-leaf, skip lines and write neatly).
Question: Some novels depict a central incident which serves as a focal point for a
major theme or conflict. Select a central incident from A Separate Peace (such as the fall
from the tree, Gene’s talk with Finny in his home, or the “trial”), and explain how this
incident is crucial and what theme or conflict it reveals.
Question 1: Explain exactly what happened up in the tree when Phineas fell. Quote from the
novel.
page #(s) _______________
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Question 2: In Chapter 7, why does Brinker accuse Gene of purposely causing Finny’s fall from
the tree?
page #(s) _______________
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Question 3: What comments does Knowles make in Chapter 7 regarding the tendency of people
to create evil?
page #(s) _______________
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Question 4: What is Finny’s attitude toward the war as he expresses it in Chapter 8?
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Question 5: Why does Leper enlist?
page #(s) _______________
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What happens to him?
page #(s) _______________
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Question 6: Explain why does Leper also accuse Gene?
page #(s) _______________
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Question 7: Explain the significance of Leper’s name?
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Question 8: In what way is Chapter 11 the climax of the novel?
page #(s) _______________
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Define climax/turning point: _____________________________________________________
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Question 9: How does Finny’s second accident affect Gene?
page #(s) _______________
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Question 10: Explain what has happened to Devon in Chapter 13? page #(s) _______________
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Question 11: Who is the main character in this novel? Explain.
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Question 12: Explain what Gene has learned by coming back to Devon fifteen years after he was
a student there?
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Question 13: If you could speak to Gene as he leaves Devon after his return as a man, what
would you say to him?
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I hope are looking forward to your journey through A Separate Peace in September. You may
consider this assignment as your “packing for the journey” in order that you may be prepared to
enter into initial discussion with your group members. After meeting with your group, you will
join together as a class to share your thoughts and make further discoveries. Please be sure to
bring your copy of the novel to class. This assignment packet will be collected and graded on
the day you return to school. Late assignments will not be collected.
Have a happy, healthy, and safe summer! Happy reading!