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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. Sylvia asserts at her conference in "the heartland" that which creatures are "nothing particularly special" (58)?

2. What is NOT an action Ben takes on Lizzie's birthday?

3. When Lizzie once took Eli along on one of Sylvia's excursions, they went to what type of location?

4. Lizzie cites a study asserting that how many of the world's richest billionaires own as many assets as half of humanity?

5. Lizzie notices signs around the library suggesting that viewers take what action?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of William Derham's 1711 quote, when viewed in the context of Sylvia's hope for the future?

2. Who is Sylvia?

3. In what location does the narrative of Weather: A Novel take place?

4. For what reason does Offill include Mohan's opinions about the upcoming election in Chapter Two?

5. Describe Sylvia's penchant for visiting sites with particular qualities.

6. Characterize the relationship between Lizzie and her brother Henry.

7. What is Hell and High Water and how does Lizzie get involved with it?

8. What time of year is it by the time Chapter One comes to a close?

9. How do most students' expectations of meditation class differ from what Margot provides?

10. What habit does Henry adopt when Catherine's due date draws near?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Henry's role within the events of the novel and explain how his character helps to further develop certain themes inherent in Offill's piece.

Essay Topic 2

William Faulkner once famously claimed that the most important literature deals with the subject of the human heart in conflict with itself. Explain how the theme of Human versus Self is demonstrated within Offill’s novel Weather: A Novel. Create a decisive, arguable claim and prove it with quotes from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Offill's messages about parenthood within the text Weather: A Novel.

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