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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 establishment is referred to as "the fountain of youth" (237) in Chapter 15?

2. The Kappagoda property is described in Chapter 17 as being located between Shenzhen and what city?

3. Near what city did Prada live briefly in the United States?

4. Who wrote and recorded the song "Caravan" that Tiller sang at the karaoke club?

5. As what spirit animal did Tiller draw Pong in the shopping mall in Chapter 12?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story did Pong tell Tiller in Chapter 18?

2. How does Tiller describe Drum Kappagoda upon their first meeting?

3. What is significant about the candies that Chilies gave Tiller in Chapter 17?

4. What led to Pong buying Tiller the knife in Chapter 12?

5. What does "20 Whet" refer to and why is it important to the story?

6. How is Constance described?

7. How is Drum Kappagoda's estate described in Chapter 17?

8. What is robata? How is it described?

9. How is Pruitt described?

10. How would you characterize Tiller's relationship with his father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the timeline of events and narrative structure in My Year Abroad. How does the author distinguish between the different timelines in the novel? What are the main timelines? What stories step beyond those timelines? How does this structure lend itself to the story? How does it create tension?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the themes of hedonism and sexuality in My Year Abroad. How do these themes arise? What experiences does Tiller encounter with hedonism and sexuality? How do these experiences change him?

Essay Topic 3

Identify and discuss three examples of imagery in the novel. What different literary devices comprise imagery? How are they employed in this narrative? How extensive are the author's depictions of imagery throughout the book?

(see the answer keys)

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