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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 Colin say to Lindsey's boyfriend in reply?

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

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

4. What does Lindsey say to Colin and Hassan at the breakfast table?

5. What does Colin wake to a week later?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What secret place does Lindsey take Colin?

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

4. How does Colin prepare for the pig hunt and where do they meet the other hunters?

5. How does Hollis explain Roy's actions with the bulldozer?

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

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

8. How do Colin and Hassan get separated from the others?

9. What does Hassan say some of the teens plan to do during the upcoming weekend.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The fact that Colin keeps dating girls with the name of Katherine suggests that he is attracting the same type of girl. Each girl ends the relationship and so the act of continuing to date Katherines symbolizes Colin's way of trying to get the relationship right this time around.

1. Discuss how the saying: Insanity is when you keep on doing what you have always done expecting different results relates the the above statements. Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.

2. Do you think Colin will ever "get it right" if he keeps attracting the same type of girl? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.

3. Since it is almost a given that in the "real" world no one could have met 19 girls named Katherine to date, especially given Colin's age, the fact that in An Abundance of Katherines this is true it must mean something else. Discuss what theme the author is illustrating using the symbolism of 19 girls with the same name. Use examples from your own life and "An Abundance of Katherines" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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 "An Abundance of Katherines" 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 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "An Abundance of Katherines". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of self awareness in "An Abundance of Katherines". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess self awareness? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of letting go of the past in "An Abundance of Katherines". How does Colin finally realize he needs to look to the future? How does his struggle bring him to that point? What events propel him into the future? What other characters struggle with letting go of the past?

(see the answer keys)

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