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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 does Lia make it look like there is more food on her plate when she eats a meal?

2. What is Lia's family doing when she gets home?

3. Where does Lia take Emma after school?

4. Who do the teachers want to honor?

5. Who is Jennifer?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene that leads to Lia receiving detention.

2. How do Lia and Cassie first meet?

3. What does Cassie say to Lia in the messages Cassie leaves on Lia's phone?

4. What actions does the support group decide to make in order to honor Cassie, and what is Lia's response when her opinion is asked?

5. How does Lia make it appear as though she has eaten when she is home that afternoon?

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

7. What does Elijah tell Lia and why does she tell him her name is Emma?

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

9. What does Elijah ask Lia and what does Lia do in response?

10. What news does Emma bring the next morning, and what is Lia's reaction?

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

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Wintergirls" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "Wintergirls" is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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