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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 lures Calli out of her hiding place?

2. What do Antonia and Louis see running out of the woods?

3. How does Louis see the situation about the missing girls?

4. Who is Mrs. White?

5. Who supports Antonia more than Griff?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Antonia's reflections about Louis and Griff?

2. Why does Petra hear a noise and what does she decide to do?

3. What does Calli's father do after Roger comes by?

4. How does Calli's previous times playing in the woods help her now?

5. How has Calli's bathroom crisis worsened and what does she decide to do?

6. Who is banging on Antonia's door and what do they want?

7. What does Antonia do in her search for the girls and how is she like Martin concerning her daughter?

8. What does Louis tell Fitzgerald about Griff?

9. What happens when Calli's father sees her?

10. How does the school nurse treat Calli's accidents?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Weight of Silence. Questions that Gudenkauf most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Gudenkauf's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Gudenkauf's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Gudenkauf and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Antonia cares for her son, making sure he eats. She reflects on her life choices, realizing that Louis was all she ever needed. When she felt abandoned by him, she cut him off, ending out on the path that led her to a very unhappy marriage. She knows that Griff has a good side to him, and part of her loves him. However, his drinking is more important to him, and it turns him into an unlovable man. Antonia can't help thinking she destroys everything she is a part of even though her children adore her.

1. Why do you think Louis would begin to look better to Antonia in the situation in the book? Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss why you think Antonia married Griff when Louis went off to college. Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Antonia thinks she destroys everything of which she is a part? What examples are there in the text that support and do not support this belief. Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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