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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. What does the note from Hollis say?

2. Why does Lindsey teach Colin what she teaches him?

3. Who does Colin and Hassan find as they are walking through the graveyard?

4. What do Colin and Lindsey drink when Lindsey shows him the secret?

5. What do Hassan and Lindsey go out and do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Hassan and Colin do on their fifth day in Gutshot?

2. What does Lindsey say she thinks she can fix for Colin?

3. Why does Hassan say he is not going to work that Thursday?

4. What has Colin figured out about the supposed Archduke's grave and what is Lindsey's response?

5. What do Colin and Hassan do first thing the morning after the fight and what does Lindsey say about the fight?

6. What happens in the interview with Ms. Mabel?

7. What does Hollis tell Colin and Hassan about Lindsey when they get home from Memphis?

8. Describe the fight that starts by Hassan playing the confessions of Katrina and Colin that Hassan recorded.

9. What do Colin and Hassan witness in the cemetery?

10. What sounds does Colin wake to a week after Hassan has a beer with Lindsey?

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

"An Abundance of Katherines" belongs to the young adult novel genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the young adult novel genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a young adult novel and a historical novel or mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "An Abundance of Katherines". 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 Green chooses the symbols he does? Consider the symbolism of Colin's theorem, Colin's last name and the fact of him continuing to fall for girls with the name of Katherine.

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 Green chooses the metaphors he does? What might the metaphor of books stand for or Colin's theorem?

3. Discuss Green'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 Green 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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