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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. How long does it take Colin and Hassan to reconcile?

2. What wakes Colin up on Thursday morning?

3. What does Hassan say about Katrina?

4. According to Colin, whose name is anagrammed?

5. For how many Katherines does Colin's theorem work?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What do Colin and Hassan witness in the cemetery?

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

7. What does Colin continue to work on and how is it going?

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

9. What has Colin figured out about the supposed Archduke's grave and what is Lindsey's response?

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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