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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. Why does Sam Garfield leave his former job?

2. What do Martin and Antonia need to do to be able to go search for the girls?

3. Who is brought in to the station?

4. What does Calli say when she sees the adults?

5. What does Ben do when she sees him in her dream?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Louis told about Charles Wilson?

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

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

5. Describe Calli's dream.

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

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

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

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

10. What does Calli think about Mr. Wilson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in The Weight of Silence. Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Gudenkauf chooses the symbols he does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Gudenkauf chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Gudenkauf's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, clifthangers, deux ex machina, etc...), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Gudenkauf use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,196 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample