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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 Louis plan to do later?

2. What does Ben notice as he relaxes?

3. Why isn't Calli sleeping well?

4. Where does Martin send Ben?

5. Who can Calli not find in her dream?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Calli think about Mr. Wilson?

2. What day does Calli think about that included Petra, Lucky and Sergeant?

3. How does Ben realize Petra is alive, and what does Ben decide to do?

4. What happens when Ben finds Griff, Calli and Petra?

5. What occurs at the press conference that Martin, Fielda and Antonia go to?

6. What is Calli's perspective of running for help and arriving to see Louis and her mom?

7. Why does Antonia feel okay about not going in the woods after Ben?

8. What do Louis' thoughts reveal about his relationship with Christine?

9. How does Antonia react when she sees Calli come out of the woods?

10. What does Louis see in the trees and why doesn't he immediately investigate?

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 The Weight of Silence is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

The Weight of Silence belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Rick and Lon. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lon and Nuke. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in The Weight of Silence help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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