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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. In the Japanese reality show, how many men and women are given a fancy house to live in?

2. What will it cost to replace the pump for the water system?

3. What vehicle nearly hits Karen and Nat on their morning walk in Act 3, Chapter 7?

4. What bird can be heard when Vinod and Karen are in their bedroom the night the Actor arrives in Act 4, Chapter 3?

5. What does Masha's mother teach at a large Catholic college?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Senderovsky think he can do after his show does not come to fruition?

2. Who was Suj?

3. What does the handyman tell Senderovsky when Senderovsky complains that he cannot fix the plumbing?

4. In Act 4, Chapter 5, why do Karen, Senderovsky, and Masha debate whether to get Vinod to a hospital?

5. How does Masha feel about Karen's rapport with Nat?

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

7. How does Dee get a family to be friendly when she and the Actor are walking in Act 3, Chapter 3?

8. What does VInod begin to feel when he is in the meadow reading in Act 4, Chapter 5?

9. How does social media turn on Dee?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample