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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 Hassan say his proposal is necessary?
2. What does the tour guide see written in Colin's notebook?
3. When does Colin first meet Hassan?
4. What does Hassan propose to Colin's parents?
5. What does Lindsey convince Colin to let her do?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Colin overhear Hassan and Lindsey talking about and what do the three young people do that evening?
2. When did Colin meet Hassan and to what does Colin relate most of his thoughts?
3. What is the notebook that Colin sketches in while waiting for the tour guide to return?
4. What do all of Colin's former girlfriends have in common besides having dated Colin?
5. What approach do Hassan and Colin use on Hassan's father to gain permission for the trip?
6. Whose grave is advertised when Colin and Hassan decide to exit off the interstate?
7. How does Colin respond to what his father tells him when Colin gets out of the shower?
8. What are Colin and Hassan supposed to do that day and what do they accomplish?
9. What does Hassan do in order to be able to go back to the Hollis home earlier than they are supposed to?
10. How does Colin keep himself awake while driving and why is that ironic?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:
1. Compare/contrast the characters of Colin and Hassan. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.
2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lindsey and Hollis. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?
3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "An Abundance of Katherines" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.
Essay Topic 2
Sometimes a book has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and sometimes it is the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:
1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?
2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?
3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?
4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.
5. What type of plot do you think "An Abundance of Katherines" is? Explain your response.
Essay Topic 3
Hassan is a symbol of what is normal conversation for the average person, so that Colin knows what is appropriate to talk about and what makes people look at him as if there is something wrong with him. Colin relates his inability to see what the future holds with his nearsightedness. While Colin is only 17, he believes that he is past the prime in his life because most prodigies peak at 12 or 13. This thought process reinforces that Colin does not see what is in front of him, the life out there he has left to experience, because he is so focused on his lack of living up to being a prodigy.
1. Do you think it is possible to learn how to talk to people from observing a friend? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.
2. Discuss the symbolism of Colin's nearsightedness and him not being able to see not only the future but what is normal behavior in a group of his peers. Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.
3. How might not being able to live up to an example, whether it is being a prodigy, or to any older brother or sister or parents' expectations can affect a person emotionally. Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.
This section contains 1,130 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |