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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 Roy?

2. What do Colin and Hassan check out upon first waking in Chapter 17?

3. What do Colin and Lindsey do before driving back to Lindsey's house?

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

5. What does Lindsey do instead of having breakfast with Colin and Hassan?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hassan admit to Colin about Katrina?

2. What stories does Colin tell Lindsey and what do they do before leaving the cave?

3. Describe the fight that starts by Hassan playing the confessions of Katrina and Colin that Hassan recorded.

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

5. What secret place does Lindsey take Colin?

6. What is Hollis' long-plan for keeping the factory going and the town in operation?

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

8. What do Lindsey and Colin drink in the cave?

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

10. Describe the incident that Hassan and Colin have with the feral pig.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "An Abundance of Katherines" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if this is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "An Abundance of Katherines" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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