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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 never follow through on her intention about talking to Elijah?

2. What startles Lia back to reality at the graveside?

3. Why does a bulimic eat colored chips?

4. How long is Lia kept in the ER?

5. Where does Lia find her mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Lia's father take Lia after picking her up from the hospital and why can her mother get reports from the psychiatrist?

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

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

4. Where does Lia find her mother and what is her mother doing?

5. What does Lia intend to tell Elijah and does she do so?

6. Who does Lia encounter at Cassie's burial and how does that let Elijah learn Lia's real name?

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

8. How does Lia experience the emergency room?

9. How much does Lia weigh and what does she think about the weight spiral?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Lia bribes Elijah for help with food and convinces him to take her with him to Mississippi. Biblically, Elijah is a character known for raising the dead, so keen readers will have high expectations for this novel's Elijah. It is unexpected, then, when Lia awakens from sleep to find that Elijah has stolen her money and abandoned her. In a way, it appears that Elijah has not lived up to his namesake, and that he has betrayed his friendship to Lia. When the reader truly considers what friendship is, however, they may reconsider their reaction to Elijah's actions. Friendship should mean one individual wanting the best for another. If Elijah had taken Lia with him to Mississippi, he would have been enabling her disease. By forcing her to ask her family for help, Elijah truly is doing what is best for her. At the end of the novel, Lia does reach out to her family and she eventually gets the help she needs. In a way, this novel's Elijah has fulfilled his role of raising the dead.

1. Discuss, in depth, reasons why Elijah might have run from Lia. Use examples from your own life and "Wintergirls" to support your reasoning.

2. Do you think Elijah is a true friend for abandoning Lia and telling her to talk to her parents? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your reasoning.

3. Do you think Elijah did what he did because it was best for Lia or because it was best for himself? Why? Use examples from your own life and "Wintergirls" to support your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as "Wintergirls" help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading "Wintergirls"? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in "Wintergirls" to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

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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