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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 Calli think of as she finds a meadow?

2. What does Martin not wait for before heading into the woods?

3. What does Martin notice as he drives by the Clarks' house?

4. What does Antonia decide upon seeing Calli?

5. What does Ben throw at Jason?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Louis see in the trees and why doesn't he immediately investigate?

2. Who are a couple men the police are looking into?

3. How does Antonia react when she sees Calli come out of the woods?

4. How does Ben realize Petra is alive, and what does Ben decide to do?

5. Why does Louis' wife call him and what does she say?

6. What occurs at the press conference that Martin, Fielda and Antonia go to?

7. What time does Ben think about when he was nine.

8. What does Calli think about Mr. Wilson?

9. What does Louis think of doing in the next election and what does he think will be some people's reaction?

10. Where does Fielda decide to go and who volunteers to go with her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Weight of Silence based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Weight of Silence is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Weight of Silence a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What is a plot? What are the most important elements of a plot and their definition? Do all novels have a plot? Why or why not?

2. Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Weight of Silence, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot?

3. Identify the major sub-plots and their elements in The Weight of Silence. (The subplots may not contain every element of a major plot). Do the sub-plots add to the main plot? Why or why not. Are the sub-plots interesting in and of themselves? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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