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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. How do Antonia and Martin differ?

2. What does Petra hear?

3. What does Calli need to do badly?

4. When does Mrs. White contact Calli's mother?

5. When does Calli tend to avoid her father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Calli need to do when she wakes up early one morning?

2. What does Martin remember about his daughter Petra?

3. What does Calli's father do after Roger comes by?

4. What is Martin and Fielda's relationship like?

5. What is Ben's dream about and how is he feeling?

6. What does Antonia do in her search for the girls and how is she like Martin concerning her daughter?

7. Why does Petra hear a noise and what does she decide to do?

8. What does Calli think about as her father is dragging her off into the woods?

9. What does Louis tell Fitzgerald about Griff?

10. What happens when Calli's father sees her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It seems as if the reality of the situation isn't reaching through to Antonia. She can't believe her daughter's room is being taped off. She is basing the scenario on past situations. Calli was always wandering. As she filters through a mental list of people she should contact, the reader realizes that Antonia is very much alone. She doesn't want to voice that there is a problem because then she would have to accept that this was true. The reader can't help but wonder if this is symbolic of Calli's muteness.

1. Discuss denial in the context of the above statement with your thoughts on why Antonia might be in denial. Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

2. Discuss the isolation in which Antonia finds herself in the context of living with an alcoholic and abusive spouse. Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

3. Do you think it is human nature to not state a problem out loud because that would make it real? Why or why not? Do you think this means Antonia is a bad mother? Why or why not? Use examples from you own life and the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss The Weight of Silence based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if The Weight of Silence is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider The Weight of Silence a successful novel? What about young teens?

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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