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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 Calli think she can rest?

2. What does a substitute at school once refuse to do?

3. Who offers to go with Fielda?

4. To where is Louis called back?

5. Where does Louis decide to search?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Where does Martin go after seeing his daughter off on the helicopter, and what does he plan to do?

3. Why does Antonia feel okay about not going in the woods after Ben?

4. Describe Calli's dream.

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

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

7. What happens when Martin sees Ben by Petra?

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

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

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

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

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 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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