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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 can Calli not find in her dream?

2. Who is close to retiring?

3. Who calls Louis as he is getting ready to start the search?

4. What does Martin do after his wife leaves for Iowa City?

5. What does Ben throw at Jason?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What do Martin and Fielda not allow Petra to do and what explanation do they give?

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

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

6. What do Louis' thoughts reveal about his relationship with Christine?

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

8. What hat do Ben's thoughts reveal about the situation with Jason Meechum?

9. What are Calli and Antonia doing when Ben arrives at the hospital?

10. What is Calli's perspective of running for help and arriving to see Louis and her mom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Weight of Silence is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

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.

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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