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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 is Lia angry at her mother?

2. What is Lia's mother doing?

3. How is Lia when she first enters the emergency room?

4. What holiday is looming near as Lia gets out of the hospital?

5. What does Jennifer ask Lia to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Lia tell her father when she's returned from Elijah's house and how does he react?

2. Describe the damage to Cassie's body as a result of her eating disorder.

3. What happens when Lia goes to get pain medication for Emma?

4. Where does Lia sometimes find herself in the middle of the night?

5. What does Lia overhear her father and Jennifer discuss and how does she handle it?

6. What happens as a result of Lia eating the cupcakes?

7. What does Jennifer ask Lia to do and how does Lia respond?

8. What does Jennifer say to Lia that prompts Lia to really talk to Dr. Parker?

9. Why does Cassie's ghost call Lia a "wintergirl"?

10. Why can't Lia sleep and what does she do instead?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why?

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why?

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot?

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not?

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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