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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. What does Lia immediately do upon entering the room where the memorial is being held?

2. What does Elijah say about Cassie?

3. What excuse does Lia give school for why she is not going to be there?

4. What does Lia count as Jennifer makes suggestions?

5. Why does Lia hate herself when she gets home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who calls Lia before she leaves for school after she has weighed herself?

2. What does Chloe insist about Lia and what is Jennifer's proof otherwise?

3. How does Lia get out of going to school that morning and where does she go?

4. How does Lia make it appear as though she has eaten when she is home that afternoon?

5. Why do Lia's parents insist she see the psychiatrist that day and how does Lia behave during the session?

6. What actions does the support group decide to make in order to honor Cassie, and what is Lia's response when her opinion is asked?

7. What are the ground rules in the support group of Cassie?

8. What news does Emma bring the next morning, and what is Lia's reaction?

9. Over what does Lia obsess after Jennifer and Emma leave the house?

10. What does Lia's scale reveal to her and what is her response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 "Wintergirls", 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 "Wintergirls". (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?

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 Laurie Halse Anderson.

2. What in Anderson's background may have helped her in writing "Wintergirls"? What may have influenced the way she 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

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Wintergirls". 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 Anderson 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 Anderson chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Anderson's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Anderson 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)

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