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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 Masha's mother teach at a large Catholic college?

2. Who is the only person not to put on weight in Act 3, Chapter 1?

3. How many bottles of retsina has Ed ordered in Act 4, Chapter 2?

4. How much money does Ed offer to lend Senderovsky in Act 3, Chapter 4?

5. What nationality are the people barbecuing goat by the train tracks in Act 4, Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the problem with the plumbing and what will it take to fix it?

2. In Act 4, Chapter 4, why is Karen sleeping on the sofa in the bungalow she is sharing with Vinod?

3. What nearly happens when Karen and Nat are walking in Act 3, Chapter 7, and how does Karen react?

4. How does everyone act after the Actor leaves?

5. What trip do Masha and Nat take, and what do they do?

6. What does Nat see and do when she wakes hearly in Act 3, Chapter 9?

7. What is the schedule when the Actor leaves?

8. What does information does the Actor have for Senderovskyin Act 4, Chapter 3?

9. What does Vinod feel about sheltering in place?

10. Where do Dee and the actor walk when the pavement runs out in Act 3, Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An analogy is the comparison of an unfamiliar object or idea to a familiar one in an attempt to explain the unfamiliar or to help readers understand characters, events, or concepts. What are some analogies Shteyngart uses in Our Country Friends? How do these analogies help readers comprehend characters, events or concepts?

Essay Topic 2

Artistic license is a method an author uses to create art, music, or writing based on his interpretation of life. How does Shteyngart use artistic license to create the realistic background of Our Country Friends?

Essay Topic 3

In Our Country Friends, some characters are more thoroughly described than others. Who are some characters that are merely named in passing or have a minor role in the novel? What is the importance of these flat characters to the storyline? In what way do these characters make the main characters more colorful or interesting? When there is conflict, what type of role do these flat characters play?

(see the answer keys)

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