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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 working at the convenience store when Colin and Hassan drop off Lindsey there?

2. What does Colin seem to notice in almost everything around him?

3. What is Colin reminded of by the smell at the first person's house that the three young people go to for interviews?

4. What does Hollis invite the boys to do?

5. Who is Zeke?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hollis offer Hassan and Colin?

2. What is the notebook that Colin sketches in while waiting for the tour guide to return?

3. What does Hollis say Colin and Hassan will do for their job?

4. What is Colin doing at the opening of the novel and what is he upset about?

5. What approach do Hassan and Colin use on Hassan's father to gain permission for the trip?

6. What does Starnes say when Colin, Hassan and Linsey interview him?

7. What does Hassan propose to Colin's parents and what do they reply?

8. What does Colin think about as he is lying on the ground waiting for the tour guide to return?

9. Where does Lindsey go after interviewing Starnes?

10. What does Colin remember about himself when he was 25 months old?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Discuss the following:

1. Who is/are the protagonists of the story and why? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Who is/are the antagonists of the story and why? Use examples from the story and your own life to support your answer.

3. Which 3 secondary characters have the greatest impact on the plot? Use examples from "An Abundance of Katherines" and your own life to support your answer.

4. Are any of the characters dispensable and which ones? Why or why not? Use examples from "An Abundance of Katherines" and your own life to support your answer.

5. Do you think this is a character-driven plot or an action-driven plot? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Over the course of "An Abundance of Katherines", Colin grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "An Abundance of Katherines" might be considered a slice of Colin's larger story of his "coming of age." It might be said that this story is a "bildungsroman" of Colin Singleton. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze the character of Colin as he changes from having little knowledge of himself or the world to a wiser, young man. What are the significant events that change Colin?

3. After thoroughly analyzing Colin's growth throughout An Abundance of Katherines, do you think "An Abundance of Katherines" could be considered Colin's Coming of Age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "An Abundance of Katherines" who go through a Coming of Age experience? Who? Why do you think so?

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