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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 Martin do?

2. Where does Calli think about going to the bathroom when she is in her room at home?

3. How long has it been since the girl has spoken?

4. What does Mrs. White document?

5. What does Calli decide to do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How are Fielda and Martin responding to what they see as a lack of action?

3. What does Ben want to do and what does he think about as far as Calli being in the woods?

4. What does Antonia reflect about concerning Calli when Calli stops talking?

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

6. What does Calli express about her father?

7. What is Ben's dream about and how is he feeling?

8. What does Martin remember about his daughter Petra?

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

10. What do Fielda and Martin do in searching for Petra?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Weight of Silence and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Weight of Silence is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an important part of what makes The Weight of Silence interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Calli. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Antonia. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Griff. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

4. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Louis. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

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.

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