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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. Where does Lia say she's been when she returns from Elijah's house?

3. Why is Lia's mother allowed to hear updates from Lia's psychiatrist?

4. Why is Lia knitting a blanket?

5. What does Chloe fear about Lia?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. When is Lia allowed to go home and what does she feel is humorous about the situation?

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

8. What does Lia think about concerning Cassie as Lia Googles Cassie's name?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 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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