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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 is done in the yearbook for Cassie?

2. Who comes to Lia's house to ask Lia some questions?

3. Why does Jennifer tell Lia about Cassie?

4. What does Cassie show Lia on the first day they meet?

5. What does Emma say when she wakes Lia the morning after Cassie's death?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Emma confess to Lia when Lia takes her to soccer practice, and how does Lia respond?

2. Describe Lia's experience as she sees Cassie in the coffin.

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

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

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

6. What does Lia know she should do when she is feeling negative, but what does she do instead?

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

8. How does Jennifer feel about Cassie's death?

9. What have Lia's teachers organized and how does Lia react when she joins the group of students?

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

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 "Wintergirls" 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

Characters are an important part of what makes "Wintergirls" interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Lia. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

2. Thoroughly discuss and analyze Cassie. What are her strengths? Her weaknesses? How does she contribute to the plot? Is she a sympathetic character? Is she ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

3. Thoroughly discuss and analyze the character of Elijah. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? How does he contribute to the plot? Is he a sympathetic character? Is he ever likable? Never likable? Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of interesting questions raised by "Wintergirls". Questions that Anderson 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 Anderson' agenda. Analyze that idea throughout the book, and then discuss Anderson' 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 Anderson and see if/where his life may have influenced his writing.

(see the answer keys)

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