View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Annaliese's mother die?

2. What does Kay decide she will do concerning Carriscant?

3. What does Kay's lawyer say about her house?

4. What does Carriscant often think of doing?

5. What is Kay's stipulation for her going with Carriscant?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Kay and Philip think about the other one?

2. What does Meyersen say about Kay's home and career and how does it affect Kay?

3. Why is Kay Fischer nearly bankrupt?

4. How does Carriscant feel about his marriage?

5. What is the setting for the chapter titled "Tongue"?

6. What does Kay learn about the buyer of her home?

7. What does Kay's mother confirm about Kay's past?

8. What does Carriscant learn about the photograph of the woman and what does he want to do?

9. What does Kay decide about Carriscant and what does she do after deciding this?

10. Describe the feud between Carriscant and Isidro Cruz.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think The Blue Afternoon is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

Essay Topic 2

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not?

2. Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a book such as The Blue Afternoon help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Blue Afternoon? Why or why not.

3. Choose one specific incident in The Blue Afternoon to discuss and compare one of the characters' response to how you think you would respond.

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Carriscant and Cruz. 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 Kay and Annaliese. 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 The Blue Afternoon 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 966 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample