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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 many bungalows are behind the main house?

2. What does Ed weigh?

3. When did Dee Cameron take a course when Senderovsky still taught?

4. How old was Nat when she came to the U.S.?

5. What color is the pickup that Senderovsky sees take a photo as he is trying to bury Vinod's manuscript?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Karen remember about Vinod's manuscript?

2. What does Senderovsky do when his wife is finally asleep in Chapter 9?

3. In Act 2, Chapter 5, where does Vinod go to read?

4. What does Dee learn about Ed's background in Act 2, Chapter 1?

5. Where has Ed traveled since December?

6. What character was the Actor supposed to play in the adaptation of one of Senderovsky's early novels?

7. How does Masha feel when Karen puts Nat to bed?

8. What does the Actor tell Senderovsky about his script?

9. What are the official and unofficial reasons why Karen has come to visit Senderovsky?

10. In Chapter 7, what does the narrator comment about alcohol and writing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does Shteyngart use more metaphors or similes in Our Country Friends? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 2

Conflicts between characters are often caused by a problem. What are some conflicts that occur in Our Country Friends? Are the conflicts in the book mostly man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. self? Are they internal or external conflicts?

Essay Topic 3

Setting is the place and time where a novel takes place. What is the setting in Our Country Friends? How does the setting evoke feelings or set the mood in the book?

(see the answer keys)

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