View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of whom does the image of the little girl remind Louis?

2. How does Antonia find herself in an unhappy marriage?

3. What do Antonia and Louis try to do?

4. What does Louis recognize he needs to do?

5. How does Calli think her father has crossed a line?

Short Essay Questions

1. What surreal scene is described concerning Calli and a fawn?

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

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

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

5. What does Calli need to do when she wakes up early one morning?

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

7. What does Martin remember about his daughter Petra?

8. What does Louis tell Fitzgerald about Griff?

9. What is Martin and Fielda's relationship like?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Heather Gudenkauf.

2. What in Gudenkauf's background may have helped him in writing The Weight of Silence? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Weight of Silence.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Weight of Silence. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Weight of Silence. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 953 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample