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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 is checking out the footprints Antonia finds?

2. Where does Louis decide to search?

3. Why do Louis and Fitzgerald separate?

4. How many years after Louis and Antonia broke up did Louis marry Christine?

5. What does Ben do once when he catches Jason alone?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when Ben finds Griff, Calli and Petra?

2. What day does Calli think about that included Petra, Lucky and Sergeant?

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

4. What does Louis point out about Roper and himself as far as conflicts of interests are concerned?

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

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

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

8. What happens after Calli said her brother's name?

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

10. Describe Calli's dream.

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

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

There are a number of interesting questions raised by The Weight of Silence. Questions that Gudenkauf most likely want readers to consider and think through carefully. Discuss the following:

1. What does the term "author agenda" mean?

2. Name one idea/concept you think may have been a part of the Gudenkauf's agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book and discuss Gudenkauf's probable agenda concerning that idea.

2. Do you think writers who have an agenda for writing should point it out in a preface?

3. How often do you think fiction is written with a clear agenda in mind by the author?

4. Research the life of Gudenkauf and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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