View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What error does Lindsey think Colin is making in his theorem?

2. Why doesn't Colin end up going out on a date with Marie in his junior year?

3. What is in the place that Hollis goes to after visiting the factory?

4. Who do Colin and Hassan follow on the hunt?

5. What does Colin say Hassan cannot make Colin do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Why does Hassan say he is not going to work that Thursday?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "An Abundance of Katherines". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Green chooses the symbols he does? Consider the symbolism of Colin's theorem, Colin's last name and the fact of him continuing to fall for girls with the name of Katherine.

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Green chooses the metaphors he does? What might the metaphor of books stand for or Colin's theorem?

3. Discuss Green's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Green use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme.)

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)

This section contains 1,068 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample