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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 Lindsey say to Colin and Hassan at the breakfast table?

2. Who joins in the effort to help the situation in the graveyard?

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

4. Who is Katrina?

5. What has Hassan been doing with Lindsey when he returns to Lindsey's house?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What sounds does Colin wake to a week after Hassan has a beer with Lindsey?

5. Why do the three teens go to Memphis and what do they observe?

6. How does Hollis explain Roy's actions with the bulldozer?

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

8. What does Hassan say some of the teens plan to do during the upcoming weekend.

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

10. What happens in the interview with Ms. Mabel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "An Abundance of Katherines".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "An Abundance of Katherines". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "An Abundance of Katherines". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze the theme of growth in "An Abundance of Katherines". Consider the following questions as you write: What characters are most concerned with growth? Why? What are some symbols of growth? Symbols of rigidity? What characters seem rigid?

2. Trace and analyze the theme of self awareness in "An Abundance of Katherines". Which characters struggle with this issue? Why? Which characters seem to possess self awareness? Why?

3. Trace and analyze the theme of letting go of the past in "An Abundance of Katherines". How does Colin finally realize he needs to look to the future? How does his struggle bring him to that point? What events propel him into the future? What other characters struggle with letting go of the past?

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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