Sophomore CSP Summer Reading Assignments |
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CSP Summer Reading 2007 for Incoming Sophomores
Purpose of Summer Reading:
Summer reading is an opportunity to develop your study of literature outside of the classroom environment. As a student in the College Studies Program, it is essential that you learn to become a self-motivated learner, and summer reading is one aspect of how you should begin to distinguish yourself as an exceptional student at Waukegan High School
What to Read:
The novel we have chosen for summer 2007 is A Separate Peace by John Knowles. We will be using the new Scribner edition, which you may have already purchased. Other editions will suffice, so long as you cite appropriately, and include edition information along with citations. Copies of the novel are also available for loan from the communications department.
What to Complete:
Your assignment will be to read the entire novel, and complete all accompanying assignments. All work should be completed when you first meet your sophomore teacher. You should also be prepared to take a test over the novel on the first full day of school.
Tips for Reading
- Do not procrastinate
- Do all work thoroughly
- Annotate and/or mark pages with significant passages
- Look up unknown vocabulary
- Cite specific page numbers in your work (when necessary)
Introduction to the Novel:
As the novel opens, Gene reflects back upon the summer he and his friend Finny spent at the elite Devon School in New Hampshire. It is 15 years since this summer, and as he walks the grounds, memories of their experiences haunt him. The remainder of the novel tells Gene and Finny's story, and elaborates upon their relationships with each other, and with other students at theDevon School. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the young men in this story must come to grips with a childhood that will be cut short, as they must prepare themselves to fulfill an inevitable duty to their country.
In addition to the reading and assignments, also be prepared to discuss at least 2 from each of the following lists.
Themes to Discuss:
Friendship
Loyalty
Maturity
Sacrifice
War
Popularity
The Tree
The Devon River
The Naguamsett River
Clothing
Sports/Teams
Light
Assignment #1: Character Analysis
As you read the novel, document as much as you can about the following characters (Be sure to write neatly):
1-2 Sentences=Insufficient
2-3 Sentences= Good
4-5 Sentences= Better
>5 Sentences = Excellent
Gene:
Finny:
Brinker:
Leper:
Quackenbush:
Name Assignment # 2
Date
A Separate Peace
Summer Reading Chapter Questions
Complete the following questions, and provide a page citation to indicate where you were able to locate the answer in the text. Answer each question as thoroughly as possible, and use complete sentences. You will be graded on completion of these questions, and they will serve as a study guide for the exam you will take on the first full day of class.
Chapters 1-3
1. Gene gives two reasons why the rules were looser in the summer of 1942. Name one.
_____________________________________________________________________
2. How does Finny get out of trouble with Mr. Mr. Prudhomme?
3. What does Finny wear as an emblem of celebration of the first allied bombing of central Europe?
4. How does Gene feel about Finny at this moment?
5. What does Finny get away with at the tea that Gene is almost sure he wouldn't?
6. What is the name of the society Finny and Gene founded?
7. What task qualifies the boys as a member of this society?
8. What significant event happens at the end of Chapter 2?
9. What utopian belief about sports does Finny believe in?
10. What sport does Finny create?
11. What record does Finny break AND why doesn't he want anyone to know
12. What does Finny say about his friendship with Gene? What is Gene's reaction
Chapters 4-7
1. To what biblical character does Gene compare Finny?
2. Why does Gene need to get back to school?
3. What does Finny want to do instead?
4. What grade does Gene get on his Trigonometry test?
5. How does Finny react to Gene wanting to study for the French test?
6. What does this show us about Finny?
7. What suspicion does Gene have about Finny?
8. Give a specific detail Knowles uses to show the contrast/difference
between the summer and winter sessions.
9. As gene runs along the banks of the Devon River he begins to think about Finny. What imagery does he reflect upon?
10. Describe theNeguamsett River.
11. What is Gene's new job?
12. What happens between Quackenbush and Gene?
13. How does Finny show he is a good friend to Gene?
14. What does Finny tell Gene he must do, now that Finny's leg is broken?
15. What is the Butt Room?
16. Of what do the boys in the Butt Room tease/accuse Gene?
17. What does Leper want to do, instead of clearing the snow from the railways for the war effort?
18. What significant event occurs at the end of chapter 7?
Chapters 8-11
1. About what does Finny complain when he first comes back to Devon?
2. What does Brinker come in to ask Gene about?
3. What Is Brinker's new nickname?
4. Instead of going to class, where does Finny want to go?
5. What does Finny believe about the war?
6. In what sport does Gene excel?
7. To everyone's surprise, Leper Lepellier enlists in January. What causes Leper to make this decision?
8. What does Finny decide to create?
9. Leper sends Gene a telegram. What does it say?
10. What does a gold star in a house's window signify?
11. Why has Leper escaped from the army?
12. What were two images from Leper's army experience that made him go insane
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