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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 Hollis want Hassan and Colin to do the next day?

2. What does Hassan propose to Colin's parents?

3. What happens as Colin is walking behind the convenience store?

4. When does Colin first meet Hassan?

5. What does Hassan do in order to go back to Hollis' house early?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Who is waiting for Colin when he gets out of the shower and what do they tell Colin?

4. What do Lindsey and Colin discuss before bedtime?

5. Where does the tour of the famous grave begin and who gives the tour?

6. Whose grave is advertised when Colin and Hassan decide to exit off the interstate?

7. What does Colin decide to do while waiting for dinner?

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

9. Why does Hassan seem to think that Colin's problem is spiritual?

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

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

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.

(see the answer keys)

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