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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. When does Antonia stop trying to bribe Calli to talk?

2. Where do Antonia and Calli go?

3. What else does Martin notice Calli holding?

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

5. What does Martin do after seeing Petra?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Calli think about Mr. Wilson?

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

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

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

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

9. What is Louis told about Charles Wilson?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Antonia cares for her son, making sure he eats. She reflects on her life choices, realizing that Louis was all she ever needed. When she felt abandoned by him, she cut him off, ending out on the path that led her to a very unhappy marriage. She knows that Griff has a good side to him, and part of her loves him. However, his drinking is more important to him, and it turns him into an unlovable man. Antonia can't help thinking she destroys everything she is a part of even though her children adore her.

1. Why do you think Louis would begin to look better to Antonia in the situation in the book? Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss why you think Antonia married Griff when Louis went off to college. Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Why do you think Antonia thinks she destroys everything of which she is a part? What examples are there in the text that support and do not support this belief. Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in The Weight of Silence.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of The Weight of Silence. How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of The Weight of Silence. How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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