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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 Lia hate herself when she gets home?

2. What does Lia say when she answers Cassie's calls?

3. How does Jennifer feel about Cassie?

4. What is Lia's family doing when she gets home?

5. Why is Cassie ostracized in fifth grade?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lia have for breakfast and what is her hope will happen as a result?

2. Where is Lia at the opening of the novel and what is the news Jennifer announces?

3. What does Lia feel as she thinks about Cassie's body in the morgue?

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

5. What does Elijah ask Lia and what does Lia do in response?

6. Why does Elijah escort Lia out of the funeral home and where do they go?

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

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

9. What does Lia do against the advice of her parents and what does Lia keep imagining?

10. What does Elijah tell Lia and why does she tell him her name is Emma?

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

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Wintergirls".

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

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

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of the book, Lia grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Wintergirls" might be considered a slice of Lia's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that Wintergirls is a "bildungsroman" of Lia Overbrook. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Lia as she changes from a girl who resists getting better to a young woman who participates in her treatment. What are the significant events that change Lia?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Lia's growth throughout the story, do you think "Wintergirls" could be considered Lia's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Wintergirls" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

(see the answer keys)

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