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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. Where does Hollis tell Hassan and Colin Lindsey is spending the night?

2. What does Hassan say about Katrina?

3. To what bird does Hassan compare Colin?

4. What does Lindsey say they could do instead of stopping at their next choice of eating places?

5. What has Hassan been doing with Lindsey when he returns to Lindsey's house?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the boys supposed to interview the day after the fight?

2. Where does Colin say he is going and where does he actually go?

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

4. Where do Colin and Lindsey go on their "date"?

5. What do Lindsey and Colin drink in the cave?

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

7. Who is Katrina with in the cemetery and what does he do when Hassan and Colin make their presence known?

8. What will happen between Colin and Lindsey according to Colin's theorem?

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

10. What secret place does Lindsey take Colin?

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

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 "An Abundance of Katherines" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why "An Abundance of Katherines" 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

As Colin listens to what Hassan is telling Lindsey, Colin realizes for the first time in his life that his life is a repeating circle. His road trip and working on the theorem are the first two things he is doing in his life that will break the circle. For the first time, Colin also realizes what the missing piece is that he feels inside; it's that he simply wants to matter. Colin also realizes that Lindsey is a symbol of irony because she seems like a tough person on the outside, but on the inside she is really a wimp.

1. Discuss the ways in which Colin's life is a repeating circle. Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.

2. Do you think everyone wants to matter to someone or to the world? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and the text to support your answer.

3. What are some of the ways people use to matter to the world? Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.

4. Discuss reasons someone like Lindsey might show a different face on the outside to what she is on the inside. Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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