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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. Who is Bruna?

2. Who is Paton Bobby?

3. Where do Carriscant and Kay go?

4. What does Carriscant realize when he visits Pantaleon?

5. What is Kay's stipulation for her going with Carriscant?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Meyersen say about Kay's home and career and how does it affect Kay?

2. What does Carriscant realize about Pantaleon now after knowing the man for some time?

3. How are Kay and Carriscant to travel and what is her stipulation for taking the trip?

4. What do Quiroga and Carriscant do for a Chinese boy?

5. What documentation is left of Kay's biological father?

6. What does Carriscant notice while at Cruz's home?

7. What does Carriscant show Kay after visiting Paton Bobby and what does he ask of her?

8. Why does Kay spend many hours with her attorney?

9. Describe the feud between Carriscant and Isidro Cruz.

10. What does Carriscant learn about the photograph of the woman and what does he want to do?

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 The Blue Afternoon 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 readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Blue Afternoon help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Blue Afternoon? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Blue Afternoon to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

There are many questions left with no definite answers in The Blue Afternoon. Discuss the following:

1. What are two questions left with no answers that you would have liked to know? Why? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

2. Discuss, in depths, why you think Boyd left so many questions. Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

3. Do you think a novel should tie up all loose ends and answer all questions? Why or why not? Use examples from your life and The Blue Afternoon to support your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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