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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 can Ben not seem to get?

2. Why do the police have to conduct detailed interviews?

3. What do the testers decide to teach Calli?

4. What does Martin think others may believe?

5. About what does Antonia feel she failed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Martin reflect about concerning his childhood?

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

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

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

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

6. What does Calli express about her father?

7. What does Louis tell Fitzgerald about Griff?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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