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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. Who comes by to pick up Calli's father?

2. Where does Petra go?

3. Who was all Antonia ever needed?

4. What does Antonia have in common with Martin concerning this situation?

5. When does Mrs. White contact Calli's mother?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What does Calli think about as her father is dragging her off into the woods?

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

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

10. How does Ben see himself and what does he think about concerning the relationship among Calli, his father and himself?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in The Weight of Silence. Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of courage in The Weight of Silence. Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess courage? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of fear in The Weight of Silence. Consider the fear Calli has of her father, the fear Martin has for his daughter and the fear of Louis's wife for how Louis might feel about Antonia. What does Griff fear?

(see the answer keys)

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